Rooney: England have moved ahead of Italy |
- Rooney: England have moved ahead of Italy
- Welbeck thigh injury leaves England sweating
- Jones feared for World Cup place after injury
| Rooney: England have moved ahead of Italy Posted: 11 Jun 2014 09:45 AM PDT England are set to meet Italy in their FIFA World Cup opener in Group D on Saturday, in a match that could have a big impact on who qualifies for the knockout stages. The two sides met in the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2012, with Italy emerging as winners on penalties on that occasion having largely dominated the game. However, Manchester United striker Rooney believes that Roy Hodgson's young squad has improved significantly since then. "I think we've moved ahead of Italy," he said at a press conference. "We have a youthful squad so it will be interesting to see how we have progressed. Much talk has surrounded England's ability to shackle Andrea Pirlo, who enjoyed a fine game in the Euro 2012 meeting between the teams. Yet Rooney added: "Really the Italians should be looking at how to control us. "We're not too focused on Pirlo. He's fantastic and they've got some great players, but so have we, so they should be more worried about our team." Danny Welbeck missed training for England on Wednesday due to a thigh problem, but Rooney played down talk of his club colleague being unavailable for the clash with Italy. "He'll be ready for Saturday, he's just not risked anything," explained Rooney. |
| Welbeck thigh injury leaves England sweating Posted: 11 Jun 2014 08:22 AM PDT The Manchester United forward had been expected to start alongside club team-mate Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge when England get their Group D campaign under way in Manaus, but Welbeck's place now looks in doubt. Welbeck, 23, picked up the knock in training on Tuesday and failed to make an appearance at the beginning of Wednesday's session. Welbeck's position as a starter for England was called into question during the team's pre-tournament friendlies against Peru, Ecuador and Honduras, producing unspectacular performances in each game. Should the United youth product not prove his fitness in time for the meeting with Cesare Prandelli's side, Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling may deputise. Welbeck scored four goals in eight appearances in qualifying and he joins Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as an injury worry, with Roy Hodgson hopeful that the Arsenal midfielder will be ready to return to action on June 19 against Uruguay. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Jones feared for World Cup place after injury Posted: 11 Jun 2014 07:44 AM PDT The 22-year-old sustained the problem in Manchester United's 3-1 win over Hull City last month, and it was initially feared he could be ruled out of the World Cup. However, England boss Roy Hodgson included Jones in his 23-man squad and he played in the pre-tournament friendly against Ecuador last week. And the former Blackburn Rovers man has revealed he breathed a huge sigh of relief when he realised the injury was not going to prevent him from travelling to Brazil. "Once I did it (injured his shoulder) I thought I might not have a chance, but thankfully it healed quickly and I'm feeling fit, ready and I'm so looking forward to it," Jones told the English FA's official website. "(The World Cup) was the first thing that came into my mind when I did it. "I remember getting the scan sitting there thinking 'it might knock my chance'. But, thankfully it's healed nicely and I'm able to be a part of what's going to hopefully be a successful tournament." Jones partnered club-mate Chris Smalling at the heart of England's defence in the 2-2 draw with Ecuador, and he was thrilled to get back on the pitch after a month out. "It was nice to get a start, it was a great game, competitive, it was what we wanted and it was great getting 90 minutes under my belt," he added. "It's been great, the lads were all really keen and excited to get out here and now we're here there's a real belief and buzz about the place. "It's building up to the first crucial game of the tournament. There has been an awful lot of work that has gone in behind the scenes which most people don't see. "Everyone is committed, we're in a tight group and everyone's pulling in the right direction for a successful campaign over here." This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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