Ferguson expects Rooney inclusion

Eriksson has already indicated he will name Rooney in his squad

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson expects Wayne Rooney to be in England's provisional World Cup squad.

The striker is spending sessions in an oxygen chamber to improve his chances of recovering from a broken foot.

And Ferguson said: "I think Wayne will be in the squad. I'd do the same if I was in Sven-Goran Eriksson's position."

Meanwhile, Michael Owen could play a part in Alan Shearer's testimonial at Newcastle on Thursday as he bids to recover from his own foot injury.

Ferguson says Rooney is doing all he can to give himself an outside chance of making the finals in Germany.

"Wayne is showing a great determination to try to get ready for the World Cup. We know it is a forlorn hope but we will give it a try," he said.

"We will see how he gets on over the next few weeks. That's the important time for him."

Ferguson had earlier been quoted in the News of the World expressing concern that Rooney might be pressurised into playing at the World Cup when he is not fully fit.

It would be easy to persuade Wayne to play, despite not being fully fit Sir Alex Ferguson

"I am not going along with this half-baked idea of him going to Germany 80% fit and finding him being pressured into playing before he is ready," he said.

The United boss is worried about a repeat of the situation with David Beckham in the 2002 World Cup when the England captain played, despite not being fully fit after breaking a metatarsal.

"That was the experience of David Beckham in the last World Cup and it was a disaster - because he was not fit," added Ferguson.

"I know Wayne is a special player but he would be up against highly-honed opponents and, in those circumstances, you not only need to be physically fit but match fit too.

"Wayne is young and in the environment of the World Cup, it would be easy to persuade him to play, despite not being fully fit. What is needed here is a more realistic approach."

Owen, Eriksson's other main injury concern, did not even make the bench for Newcastle's final game of the season against over Chelsea.

But caretaker boss Glenn Roeder admitted if he felt it would be to Owen's benefit, he would play him in Shearer's Newcastle farewell against Celtic this week.

"That will be left down to Michael completely now," he said.

"If between the medical team and Michael, they thought there was any mileage in giving him a short run-out, that would happen.

"But if they didn't, he wouldn't take part. Michael wasn't on the bench because, exactly how he was after the game against Birmingham, he wasn't 100% happy with it."