Don't take unfit Rooney: Robson
Bryan Robson is urging England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to hold his nerve before making a final decision on Wayne Rooney’s World Cup participation.
The former England captain concedes there is no point allowing any player to take up a place in the squad if it becomes clear he is not going to be fit.
The indications are that Rooney remains up against it to recover from his broken foot in time to play any significant part for England in Germany this summer.
On that basis, Robson is sceptical about the forward’s inclusion. But he is nonetheless urging Eriksson – due to name a provisional 23-man squad this afternoon – to keep the Manchester United player in his calculations for a while yet.
“I think if he is not fit then what is the point of him going? You have other squad players who you know will be champing at the bit to impress and improve themselves at international level,” Robson told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“If Wayne Rooney is not fit then he should not go and should stay back in Manchester, but I think the manager should give him every chance right up to the last minute before making his decision as to whether he goes or not.”
