According to The Sun, England manager Fabio Capello will let Sir Alex Ferguson decide if Wayne Rooney is up to the task of facing Spain next week.
The
23-year-old forward has been battling a hamstring problem and hasn't
featured for the Red Devils since their 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic on
January 14.
Shortly after Rooney picked up the injury, Ferguson
stated that he would not rush his super-talented charge back into
action, and so far the Scot has been true to his word.
The
former Everton player is a chance to make his return against West Ham
United this weekend, however, and Capello is hoping to be granted
permission to add him to England's depleted squad.
The Three
Lions will not be able to call upon Jermain Defoe (foot), Michael Owen
(ankle), Theo Walcott (shoulder) or Steven Gerrard, who strained his
hamstring in Liverpool's FA Cup loss to Everton last night.
But
Capello, who hopes to have some sort of forward line for March's World
Cup qualifier against the Ukraine, will not draft in Rooney unless
Ferguson approves.
In the likely event that the United boss
refuses to release his Scouse star, West Ham's in-form hitman, Carlton
Cole, could be thrust onto the international scene.
Hmmmm, trying to gain favour with Fergurson?