Despite suffering a nasty looking facial injury against Bournemouth, Wayne Rooney is back in training for Everton and looks ready to play in Thursday’s Europe League game.
It’s fair to say Everton forward Wayne Rooney has been involved in “a few” controversial moments since becoming a professional footballer. Both on and off the pitch.
However, throughout it all, Rooney has had an ability to not let it affect his performances. That, combined with his impressive durability, is why he’s been able to build up an impressive resume, including becoming both Manchester United’s and England’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Talking of the 31-year-old’s durability, there was some concern he would miss playing time after suffering a bloody cut above his left eye on Saturday, against Bournemouth. (And no matter what anyone claims, Simon Francis’ contact was purely accidental.)
In truth though, we shouldn’t have been concerned at all. As reported by The Mirror, Rooney took part in the Blues’ training session on Wednesday morning.
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Open to the media, there was virtually no sign of the recently retired England international’s facial injury. Obviously this is a major boost for Everton, as they prepare to face Apollon Limassol on Thursday, in the Europa League.
The Blues will already be without Oumar Nissan, who was omitted from the squad for the Europa League group stage. To not have Rooney as well would have been disastrous, especially for a team which has struggled to score goals so far this season.
There is a possibility Ronald Koeman could take a cautious approach and elect to place his Croxteth-born star on the substitutes bench. However this seems unlikely, especially with the Everton manager indicating he will field his strongest possible side against Apollon Limassol.
In that respect, the Blues will still face some issues, with both Michael Keane and Phil Jagielka ruled out of Thursday’s game. It really must be true when they say there’s only one Wayne Rooney, especially when it comes to dealing with injuries.
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Would you start Rooney on Thursday, or begin with him on the bench? Regardless, what result are you predicting for the game against Apollon Limassol? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.