Wayne Rooney remains optimistic he can recover from his foot injury in time to play the World Cup, his England team-mate Steven Gerrard claimed on Monday.

The scan on Rooney's broken foot has been moved forward a week to 7 June to determine when he can start training.

Speaking before the latest development on the striker's injury, Gerrard said: "Wayne has been really positive.

"He is confident he can play some part although he doesn't want to name a game for his comeback."

Rooney joined up with the England squad at their hotel in Manchester on Sunday and Gerrard said he had kept in touch with the striker throughout his injury saga.

"He's young, fresh and full of confidence - and really upbeat, "the Liverpool midfielder said.

"The first time I saw him after his injury, I expected him to be a bit down. But even then he was adamant he was going to play some part.

"He's not a person to be miserable or need much picking up.

"That's great news as a team-mate and there's no one more desperate than Wazza to play in the World Cup - except for me."

Editor: Donald