By Chris O'Brien
June 9 2006

An official statement from Manchester United has confirmed that Wayne Rooney will join back up with the England squad in Germany. The 20-year-old will play some part in the nation's bid for glory, assuming Sven-Goran Eriksson's men can battle through the group stages with only three fit strikers.

Wayne Rooney looks to have been given the go-ahead to play some part in this summer's World Cup finals.

The Manchester United forward returned to England yesterday to undergo a CT scan on his broken foot, with the view on reaching an immediate decision regarding his fitness for the tournament. Results of the scan and a public announcement were agonising delayed, with the press speculating of an ongoing feud between the Football Association and MUFC regarding Rooney's scheduled return date.

An official club statement from Manchester United has stressed that Rooney will play no part in the group stages of the tournament, but should be fit for the knock-out stages, making a heavy assumption that England will qualify for the latter rounds of the World Cup with only three fit strikers amongst their ranks.

"He is now in the care of the England medical team. The expert independent medical view is that Wayne has a good chance of being fit after the group stage." read the announcement from Manchester United FC.

"At that point, the expert independent medical view is that his participation in the tournament will require very careful assessment in order to address his suitability, as he will not have had the opportunity to play in less demanding games."

England kick-off their World Cup campaign on Saturday, taking on a plucky Paraguay side in Frankfurt. Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand are both expected to start the game, but Rooney will be watching from the sidelines.

Jermain Defoe, who had been on stand-by for the World Cup squad, will now fly back home to London.