5:30 p.m.

It seems the whole of England has been waiting for this good news: 20-year-old striker Wayne Rooney is headed back to Germany with what appears to be two healthy feet.

This comes on the heels of fevered speculation today the Manchester United and England star has been cleared to play following a scan of the bone he broke in his right foot more than five weeks ago. Of course, there was no official announcement from the England’s Football Association on whether Rooney has actually been given the go-ahead to play by his doctors. Most web sites have only speculated Rooney’s foot is OK by the smile he flashed as he left the hospital. But in a country whose media has gone what British sports minister Richard Caborn calls “a bit mad” over Rooney’s foot, the smile was enough confirmation. A handful of fans chanted “Rooney! Rooney!” and “England! England!” as his Mercedes was driven through the hospital gates. The status of his foot has drawn national headlines ever since he broke it against Chelsea.

England and coach Sven-Goran Eriksson have until Friday to determine if Rooney should stay on the squad or be replaced by Jermain Defoe. FIFA’s official website, however, says Rooney is going to play:

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060607/1/76mk.html

Nothing against DeFoe, but I think everyone except for the teams England will face want to see Rooney play. The kid is special. He does some amazing things with the ball at his feet, running straight at goal with defenders draped all over him. He’s strong, elusive and fiery. England need him. This World Cup will be better if he plays. Right now, however, it appears that will not come until the second round round. That’s better than no rounds of Rooney.