According to The Sun, England manager Fabio Capello
will let Sir Alex Ferguson decide if Wayne Rooney is up to the task
of facing Spain next week.
The 23-year-old forward has been battling a hamstring problem and
hasn't featured for the Red Devils since their 1-0 win over Wigan
Athletic on January 14.
Shortly after Rooney picked up the injury, Ferguson stated that he
would not rush his super-talented charge back into action, and so
far the Scot has been true to his word.
The former Everton player is a chance to make his return against
West Ham United this weekend, however, and Capello is hoping to be
granted permission to add him to England's depleted squad.
The Three Lions will not be able to call upon Jermain Defoe (foot),
Michael Owen (ankle), Theo Walcott (shoulder) or Steven Gerrard,
who strained his hamstring in Liverpool's FA Cup loss to Everton
last night.
But Capello, who hopes to have some sort of forward line for
March's World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine, will not draft in
Rooney unless Ferguson approves.
In the likely event that the United boss refuses to release his
Scouse star, West Ham's in-form hitman, Carlton Cole, could be
thrust onto the international scene.