Rooney expects World Cup success

Rooney will be playing in his first World Cup

England striker Wayne Rooney says the squad will accept nothing less than victory at the World Cup.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's side go to the finals in Germany this summer as one of the favourites for the title.

And Rooney, 20, said: "We have a lot of good players in the squad and we will be disappointed if we don't come back with the World Cup.

"We have a good chance. We have a lot of experienced players and a lot of young players as well."

He added: "Over the last year we have been playing well and hopefully we can take that into the World Cup finals and come back as winners."

Rooney got his first glimpse of the coveted trophy on Thursday in London as it made its first appearance in England as part of a tour that takes in 31 cities in 28 countries.

The Manchester United forward said: "Some of the greatest footballers ever have lifted this trophy so it was an awesome feeling to get up close to it.

"The boys will do everything they can to make sure we see it back here."

I will never make a manager or want to be one. It's not a role that interests me England skipper David Beckham

The tour began in Accra, Ghana and lasts for three months before reaching its final destination in Rome on 10 April.

The event marks the first extensive tour of the real World Cup trophy, which is rarely seen outside the nation winning each tournament.

England have injury worries over key players in left-back Ashley Cole, centre-half Sol Campbell and striker Michael Owen.

But skipper David Beckham feels their injuries could prove to be a blessing in disguise for their World Cup hopes.

He told The Sun newspaper: "We have injured players who are very important to us, like Michael Owen and Ashley Cole, but I'm not worried they won't make it.

"Both of them have proved in the past they can recover from injuries quickly.

"On the positive side they have had a rest and should be nice and fresh by the time we kick off."

Beckham has been accused of having too much influence over the England side - an allegation the Real Madrid star rejects.

He added: "When people say I pick the England team they simple don't understand it's not something I would want to do even when I retire.

"That's why I will never make a manager or want to be one. It's not a role that interests me."