Ferdinand confident of winning World Cup even without Rooney

England, May 29: Defender Rio Ferdinand says England have the players to achieve World Cup success even if injured striker Wayne Rooney misses the finals.

Rooney's broken foot has dominated England's preparations for Germany and cast doubts on their chances of lifting the trophy for the first time since 1966.

Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, Ferdinand's team mates and the rest of the footballing nation are waiting for a scan Rooney will undergo on June 7 to see if he has a chance of playing any part in the tournament.

''At the moment, everyone is harping on about Wazza,'' Ferdinand told reporters today, referring to Rooney. ''In some respects rightly so because he's a fantastic player and an asset to the squad on and off the pitch.'' But he added: ''We feel as a squad, looking around the training field and the changing room, that we've got players who are more than capable of coming in and doing a fantastic job for the side. We definitely feel that.'' Eriksson made it clear today he was becoming fed up with the media circus surrounding Rooney's injury, though Ferdinand was more understanding.

''Wayne Rooney's a massive player and a massive story,'' said the Manchester United central defender, who should start at Old Trafford tomorrow's friendly against Hungary.

''We know as players that that's going to be in the news and we respect that. But as a squad, it doesn't make us feel any less as players individually or collectively.

REUTERS