Rooney is in a race against time to be fit for England's campaign, which kicks of against Paraguay, after breaking a metatarsal bone in his foot in the 3-0 defeat against Chelsea last weekend.

Eriksson is due to name his 23-man World Cup squad on May 15, and despite the fears of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson the Swede is adamant that Rooney can shake off the injury to play a role in Germany.

FIFA rules allow for any player selected for the competition to be substituted, provided evidence of serious injury has been submitted.

It means that if Rooney is picked, then it is decided he is not fully fit his place in the squad could be taken by another player up until 24 hours before their opening match.

Germany second Favourites
Reuters, Berlin

Germany are second favourites behind champions Brazil to win the World Cup, according to German bookmakers, after England striker Wayne Rooney suffered an injury which is likely to keep him out of the tournament.

BetandWin, Germany's largest private bookmaker, have Brazil as 4-1 favourites while the odds of hosts Germany were cut to 8-1 from 9-1. England are now quoted at 8.5-1, after 7.5-1 before Rooney was injured at the weekend for Manchester United. Italy are 9-1 and Argentina 10-1.