Rooney makes World Cup entrance for England

NUREMBERG, June 15 (Reuters) England striker Wayne Rooney ended a near seven-week absence from football when he came on as a substitute in today's World Cup Group B game against Trinidad&Tobago.

Rooney was sent on in the 58th minute at the Frankenstadion with the score 0-0, to the delight of England fans on a sultry evening.

His appearance came hours after he had been examined by two independent medical experts, who pronounced him fit to play at the finals after suffering a broken foot on April 29.

Professor Angus Wallace, an expert in sports medicine, and Professor Chris Moran, a specialist in fracture management, said the 20-year-old had made a faster than expected recovery from a double fracture.

Reuters SY GC2318