Capello handed October boost

NewsWayne Rooney has been passed fit for England's World Cup qualifiers this month, as Fabio Capello targets 12 points from four games.

There were real concerns over the fitness of the Manchester United forward when he was forced off during the second half of Tuesday's 3-0 Champions League victory over Aalborg.

Capello must have feared that Rooney, who scored in the impressive 4-1 win in Croatia, would miss this month's matches against Kazakhstan and Belarus.

The 22-year-old's ankle injury is not as bad as first feared though and he is likely to be included in the England squad, which could tempt punters to use their �25 free bet on the two fixtures, which take place on October 11 and 15.

Two wins would put England in the box seat to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, with Capello's men currently top of Group 6 on goal difference over Ukraine.

The only other injury concern for the coach is Rooney's Manchester United team-mate Owen Hargreaves, who is still struggling with a knee problem, although squad members Paul Robinson and Dean Ashton will not be available due to injuries.