Wayne Rooney has recovered from a freak ankle injury sustained in
training and is raring to go again. The England striker had scored
nine goals in nine games for United and England he fell awkwardly
during a game of head-tennis just 24 hours before United's Premier
League victory over Blackburn Rovers three weeks ago.
While he's been sidelined, United have fallen three points behind
Arsenal in the Premier League title race, and England have seen
their Euro 2008 qualification hopes go up in smoke.
However, manager Sir Alex Ferguson is sure Rooney's return to the
front line will spark an upsurge in United's league form following
last weekend's shock defeat by Bolton.
He sees Rooney, 22, as something of a talisman for the team, and
says ahead of Monday's clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage:
"Wayne has been training with the first team and has a few extra
days to prepare, so I think he will be ready.
"He won't need any encouragement to play, that is for sure.
"His endurance work is fine and his fitness levels are good. He has
not even been out for a month so I wouldn't imagine it will take
him a long time to get his rhythm."