England manager Roy Hodgson has stated that he is extremely happy with the fitness of star names like Wayne Rooney, who featured in the 3-0 win over Peru. This was one of the pretournament friendly matches for the England national team as they prepare to take part in the World Cup 2014. The team has not been firing on all cylinders in the last 12 months, but with a fit again Wayne Rooney back in the team, they put together one of their best performances in recent months with a convincing win over Peru.
Daniel Sturridge was one of the players on the scoresheet as the Liverpool striker continued his promising campaign in front of goal. Rooney has not played for club and country since April 26 when he last appeared against Norwich. He missed the last few matches due to a foot injury, which has worried the England camp ahead of the World Cup. This is because the national team has previously suffered injuries to key players at the start of every major tournament.
Rooney was subjected to a metatarsal injury just before the 2006 World Cup and the England team once again failed to get past the quarter-finals of the tournament. Hodgson, though, says that he is extremely happy with Rooney’s contribution in the Peru match.
“We think we know where he is in terms of how his fitness is being maintained or progressing. We took him and [Steven] Gerrard off tonight, both important members of our squad because we don’t have too many senior players in the squad, and 3-0 seemed an opportunity to give the younger ones a go. I don’t have any fears in that respect [of his fitness]. His attitude and commitment are first-class, even in a game of this nature,” said the England manager.