Rooney handed final date chance

Eriksson expects to pick Rooney in his initial squad

Sven-Goran Eriksson will take injured striker Wayne Rooney to the World Cup, even if he is only fit for England's ultimate target - the final on 9 July.

England boss Eriksson said: "Why would I do that? To win the final.

"We are talking about Wayne Rooney, you do not want to rule him out until it is 100% sure."

Eriksson will get an update on Rooney's broken foot when England doctor Leif Sward meets his Manchester United counterpart on Thursday.

The England coach added: "The doctors will talk to each other. If he is fit, he is fit.

"It is just a matter of whether he can play football or not.

Wayne probably will be picked in the squad but he will stay in Manchester to do recovery and he will stay there until all the doctors involved think he is football-fit Sven-Goran Eriksson

"I don't know if it is going to be possible to have him in the World Cup or not. I hope so and I will believe so because I am optimistic by nature.

"I am not depressed. It is a pity Wayne Rooney got injured but we have a lot of good players and we will have a good World Cup. You have to move on. Life is not finished just because of that."

Eriksson has spoken to United manager Sir Alex Ferguson about his plans to pick Rooney in his initial squad on 8 May - and is adamant he will give Rooney every chance to prove his fitness.

"Wayne probably will be picked in the squad but he will stay in Manchester to do recovery and he will stay there until all the doctors involved think he is football-fit," he explained.

"Whether that is before during or after the World Cup, I don't know.

"I think every England fan will agree with me when I say I don't want to rule out Wayne.

"I don't want to hear the words 'definitely out'. I want to wait as late as possible.

"If we think he can make part of the World Cup he will be in. Why shouldn't he?"