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Rooney eyes return against Wales

September 05, 2004 19:16 IST

Manchester United's teenage signing Wayne Rooney hopes to be back in an England shirt for next month's World Cup qualifier against Wales at his new Old Trafford home.

Rooney has been recovering from a broken foot since Euro 2004, where he inspired England's run to the quarter-finals before he was injured in the loss to hosts Portugal.

"If everything goes to plan, I should be fit for that game," Rooney told the News of the World newspaper on Sunday, looking ahead to the October 9 match, England's third Group Six qualifier.

"The thought of coming back to the England team in front of my home fans is amazing," said Rooney, who signed for United in a 27 million pound ($48.4 million) transfer from Everton last week.

"It is desperately disappointing to be missing out on the World Cup qualifiers because they are so important to everyone," added the 18-year old, who newspapers said began training again with a ball on Friday.

England opened their World Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against Austria in Vienna on Saturday, a disappointing result after they had taken a two-goal lead.

They meet Poland in Chorzow on Wednesday. Poland beat Northern Ireland 3-0 in Belfast on Saturday while Wales drew 1-1 with Azerbaijan in Baku.



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