England Squad Report: Rooney strikes back at media criticism

Wayne Rooney has hit back. The striker has bore the brunt of media criticism following the opening game defeat to Italy, with his place in the England team becoming the subject of public debate.

It was reported on Tuesday that Rooney had been forced to train on his own, separate from the rest of the team, but the player himself sought to clear up the story.

Venting his frustration through his Facebook page, he wrote, “Sometimes wonder what the press are getting at. I said from the start I want to do everything I can to make sure I’m ready for these World Cup games and as part of that I was doing extra training a week before the squad joined up. That’s exactly what I did yesterday, my own training because that’s what I wanted to do.”

But Rooney’s retort brings up another question: Is he fully fit? It’s true that a toe injury hindered the striker’s preparations for the World Cup, but he was presumed to have recovered.

Sir Alex Ferguson once revealed that Rooney’s natural fitness wasn’t up to the level of other players, noting that even the most minor of injuries could set him back months. “He has great qualities about him but they could be swallowed up by a lack of fitness,” explained the former Man Utd boss. “If he missed a couple of weeks for United it could take him four or five games to get his sharpness back.”

Given Ferguson’s claim, is it possible that having missed the final few weeks of the season the striker is struggling to find his top level again? The problem for England is that the only solution is to give Rooney games. But there aren’t many spare games in a World Cup.

Fixtures/Results

Group D — June 14 — England 1 - Italy 2

Group D — June 19 — Uruguay vs. England

Group D — June 24 — Costa Rica vs. England

Squad News/Rumors/Injury Report

MF Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain — Chances of featuring against Uruguay are slim (Knee)

MF Jack Wilshere — Unlikely to start (Match fitness).

FW Danny Welbeck – Still training with heavy strapping (Hamstring strain)

FW Wayne Rooney is now expected to play in a more central position against Uruguay.

Team Leaders

Goals: Daniel Sturridge – 1

Assists: Wayne Rooney - 1

4 Quick Notes

1. Roy Hodgson is now expected to play Wayne Rooney in a more central position, having used him as a number nine supported by Daniel Sturridge in training. Yesterday he was set to be dropped. Are you still following?

2. Frank Lampard says criticism of Rooney could harm England chances, because England have never been ones for self-destruction. No, never. 

3. The England team tied up team masseur Paul Small at training Tuesday, dunking him in the ice bath. How does this constitute training, you ask? Well this is what they plan to do to Luis Suarez.

4. Just in case the England had forgotten their loss to score, a cheeky local boy reminds Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of the score.