Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has revealed that he hopes to return from his knee injury after the international break, as Sky Sports reports.
The 30-year-old has not played since February 13 and has ruled himself out of England’s upcoming friendlies with Germany and Netherlands.
The Mirror reported over the weekend that Rooney had suffered a setback in his recovery and would be out for a month longer than first anticipated.
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But the striker has insisted that he is on schedule to return early next month – United face his former club Everton in the Premier League on April 3.
“It is going as planned. It is going how we first thought. It is going well so hopefully it won’t be too long now,” Rooney is quoted by Sky Sports as saying.
“I don’t know for definite but it could be after the international break, obviously I will miss the England games, but it shouldn’t be too long after that.”
Rooney has admitted that all parties are being cautious, but he is positive that he will have enough game time to regain match sharpness before Euro 2016.
“It is not too bad. We are being a bit cautious,” Sky Sports quotes him as saying.” It is a difficult one to try and push. If I try and push and be involved now it could cause more damage. So we are being cautious. After the international break is a more realistic target.
“I am hoping if I am back when I am expected to be back, depending on the two cups we are still in, then there could be 10 games left for United plus the England friendly games so I don’t think that would be a worry.”
Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson told talkSPORT earlier this month that England’s all-time leading scorer is guaranteed a place in his Euro 2016 squad if he is fit.
But the Germany and Netherlands matches would be a good opportunity to test the likes of Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy incase the worst fears over Rooney are realised.
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