Rooney arrives back in Germany after his metatarsal scan in Manchester

The Manchester United star flew back to Germany after coming through a scan on his broken metatarsal in Manchester.

Midfielder Frank Lampard stated: "It is a lift to see him here. A player of Wayne's quality would get into any team in the world."

Defender John Terry said: "It's a boost to have such an important player back."

Lampard insists Rooney's return is a timely boost ahead of England's opening Group B clash with Paraguay in Frankfurt on Saturday and added: "We all want to see him fit."

When Rooney arrived back at the team hotel in Germany he declared: "The big man's back in town".

But his club, Manchester United, have confirmed that their striker will not be fit for the group stage of the competition and may only be ready for the knock-out rounds - if his foot heals sufficiently.

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England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson and England's medical team are now responsible for the well-being of Rooney and United's medical staff have told them to be "very careful".

Meanwhile, the England players have refused to ease off in training, believing their fully-committed practice sessions will give them an edge ahead of their tournament opener.

But defender Terry has promised to go easy on Rooney in any practice sessions in the coming days.

Terry revealed: "It's great to have such a great player with us again.

"I still owe him one for a tackle he gave me last year but I think I'll save it for next season."

Terry was himself handed an injury scare when toppled by his Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge in training.

He was not seriously hurt but he admitted: "Just one tackle can do it.

"When Bridgey caught me on the ankle it was one of those where for a few minutes you think: 'I'm struggling here, I could be on the way home'.

"But if you start pulling out of tackles in training that is when you get hurt.