Rooney planning World Cup party
London: Wayne Rooney has confidently predicted that England will win the World Cup - a possibility that has been made more likely by strike partner Michael Owen's progress in overcoming his latest injury.
Manchester United forward Rooney believes the 3-2 friendly win over Argentina in November was proof that Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad can beat the world's best in Germany.
It is a view shared by Rooney's best friend in the England set-up, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.
"Of course we are going to win the World Cup," Rooney told The Sun.
"We are all really excited by Germany and everyone in the team knows we are good enough to do the business. I have spoken to Stevie Gerrard about this and we both reckon we have the players to do it," he said.
Michael Owen scored two dramatic late goals to earn England victory against Argentina in November, and Rooney said: "Beating them like that has done wonders for our confidence. We were able to run at their defenders and commit them to making tackles in areas they didn't want to. We really piled the pressure on to them and once we did that, I don't think they could live with us."
Owen is currently recovering from a foot fracture he suffered playing for Newcastle against Tottenham on New Year's Eve.
But he is on track to be fully match-fit by the time of the World Cup with his return to action now scheduled for the end of next month.
"I'm not far off jogging, maybe another four or five days, maybe a week and I might start light running," Owen said.
"With bones you do get quick healers but once it's got a crack it takes a set time. If I can be back playing by the end of March then I would be delighted. I have done plenty of worrying but I can see the finishing line and I am heading for that now."
Rooney has been tipped by everyone from Pele to Peter Crouch to be one of the stars of Germany 2006 with the only question mark being over his suspect temperament.
But at the ripe old age of 20, the Liverpool-born player believes he is acquiring the necessary maturity to spot when opponents are deliberately trying to provoke a reaction from him.
"I know when people will target you and wind you up and I can cope with that much better," he said, while acknowledging that he he will never lose the edge that helps to make him such a feared opponent.
"I love playing football but I think I am like everyone else, I hate losing and love winning," Rooney added. "And if the time comes when I am not disappointed when things are definitely not going right, then that's when people should worry."
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