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Journalism of Courage
Sven-Goran Eriksson says standby striker Jermain Defoe will fly out with England to Germany Monday despite his firm belief that injured Wayne Rooney will play at the World Cup.
Defoe was preferred to Andy Johnson for a place on the plane as Eriksson keeps his options open before Rooney returns to Manchester for a scan on his broken foot on Wednesday. “Defoe goes with us to Germany because we have to be insured about Wayne Rooney,” Eriksson said.
However, the Swede is defiantly optimistic Rooney can recover in time from a double fracture suffered against Chelsea on April 29 to play some part in the finals. “Obviously, everybody thinks he will come back from Manchester on Wednesday evening and that’s what I think,” Eriksson said.
“I have no doubts about it — but I can’t be sure, of course, until the scan is done.”
Under Fifa rules, Eriksson has until 24 hours before their opening Group B game against Paraguay to replace Rooney in his squad, should the 20-year-old be ruled out of the finals.
Eriksson saw several reasons to be upbeat about England’s chances in Germany, having steered them to only quarter-final places at the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004. “Today, everything is more or less perfect,” said the Swede. “The spirit in the squad is absolutely fantastic, even better than it’s been before — and before it’s been very good. There is a great belief that we can do very well.
“Fitness-wise we are much better, football-wise we are much better. So I think we are ready for the World Cup… and I think we can be better and better with every game.
Sol just for support?
Meanwhile, Sol Campbell is resigned to starting England’s campaign on the bench but insists he is more than happy to fill a supporting role.
The Arsenal centre-back, 31, has been the cornerstone of his country’s back-four for a decade and was an automatic first choice during the two previous tournaments in France and the far East.
But after enduring the most challenging six months of his career, Campbell is simply relieved to have recovered from a self-imposed mid-season lay-off and made his way into Eriksson’s final 23-man squad.
