By Phil McNulty Chief football writer in Baden-Baden

Rooney is key to England's hopes

England's Wayne Rooney says he feared he would not make it to the World Cup in Germany after breaking his foot.

Rooney has figured in England's last three games after a rapid recovery and will lead the line in the quarter-final with Portugal on Saturday.

He said: "There was a time when I thought I wouldn't be here. It was a bad time to get an injury.

"I just wanted to get myself fit and I've managed to do that. I'm happy with the way things are going now."

Rooney played the full 90 minutes against Ecuador, less than two months after breaking a bone in his foot.

Manchester United's 20-year-old striker warned England's World Cup opponents his best is yet to come as he moves back towards full fitness.

Rooney was outstanding at Euro 2004 before breaking his metatarsal in the quarter-final against Portugal in Lisbon.

He said: "I believe I can recapture the form I showed in Portugal, there's still more to come from me in this tournament.

"In every game, in every training session, I'm getting better. Hopefully I'll get better in the games.

I would be quite happy to go through the tournament and not score if we won the World Cup Wayne Rooney

"You never know what would have happened if I had stayed fit in 2004.

"It went to penalties in Lisbon and we were unlucky. That was disappointing. Hopefully we can come out on top this time."

And Rooney has no worries about his stamina should Saturday's clash in Gelsenkirchen go to extra time.

He said: "I think I can last two hours. I feel good, but obviously that's down to the manager."

Rooney is convinced he can to end his two-year competitive goal drought and take England into the World Cup semi-finals.

His last competitive goal for England came in the 4-2 win over Croatia at Euro 2004.

Rooney failed to score during England's World Cup qualifying campaign and is yet to find the net in Germany.

He said: "I think I'm due a big goal, and hopefully that will come against Portugal on Saturday."

Rooney has been forced to play a lone striking role in Germany, but denied the extra work-load had dulled his goalscoring effectiveness.

He said: "Hopefully that first goal will come soon, but I'm not too worried as long as we keep winning.

"I would be quite happy to go through the tournament and not score if we won the World Cup.

"I think I have to be more disciplined to play up front on your own, to keep the opposition stretched. It's harder work."

Peter Crouch is the only England striker to have scored so far in Germany, but England's midfielder players have weighed in with their share of goals, with David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole all on the scoresheet.

Rooney said: "Playing up front on your own gives the midfield more chances and as long as they are scoring and we're winning games. I'm not too concerned."