By Phil McNulty Chief Football writer in Stuttgart

Wayne Rooney carries the hopes and dreams of England on his shoulders - but if he is struggling with the burden, he keeps it well hidden.

Rooney is the talisman a nation is looking to as England aim to end a 40-year wait to win the World Cup.

Rooney believes he will be back to his best against Portugal

The responsibility on Rooney is underscored by the hysteria surrounding Manchester United's 20-year-old striker in the build-up to Germany 2006.

The daily medical bulletins on the broken foot Rooney sustained at Chelsea in April cast a giant shadow over England's World Cup preparations.

Affairs of state and matters of world importance were dismissed when it came to claiming column inches from Rooney's metatarsal.

Now he is almost restored to full fitness, and high anxiety has been replaced by huge expectation, heightened by the prospect of a World Cup quarter-final meeting with Portugal in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.

Rooney was subjected to the media spotlight in Baden-Baden and the striker revealed how he kept his head during the dramatic events of the last two months.

He explained: "As soon as it happened I knew I had done something bad and knew I'd be out for a while.

I can feel my form coming back. Every day I'm getting better Wayne Rooney

"Once I'd got the news that I'd broken my foot, I had one day off and then went back in and started training.

"While I was injured people might have thought I was just sitting around doing nothing, but I was training and doing everything I could to keep myself fit.

"The doctor told me if I worked hard, it would heal. It has done. I stayed positive and always believed I'd play in the World Cup.

"There was probably a moment after about two weeks when I felt I was going to make it. From that moment I couldn't feel any pain in my foot.

"When I started training again I wasn't scared about taking a challenge, because the doctors had told me that if there was contact there wouldn't be a problem - that took a lot of pressure off me.

"Luckily for me it has healed in time and since I came back I've felt good.

"I don't think the players were surprised that I made it. They had seen me in training, I'd been speaking to them and they knew roughly when I'd be back.

"I can feel my form coming back. Every day I'm getting better. The more you're playing, the more you're touching the ball, the better it gets.

"Hopefully by the time this game against Portugal comes I'll be back to my best."

Rooney's recovery was helped by working alongside Old Trafford colleague Alan Smith, who was recovering from a badly broken leg.

He also received calls from many England colleagues - no doubt anxious that the country's most explosive star would be able to make his recovery in time for the World Cup.

And there was one little-known figure who was making a crucial contribution to England's World Cup bid - Manchester United fitness coach Mike Clegg.

Rooney feels the pain as he damages his foot against Chelsea on 29 April

Rooney said: "Mike Clegg, who I was working with every day, was pushing me hard. He wanted to get the best out of me.

"He worked me very hard and I'm grateful for that. He never let me stop."

And, despite rumours that he was unhappy about Rooney's participation in the World Cup, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has also played a key supporting role.

Rooney said: "I've spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson a few times. He just wishes me luck. He's been very supportive from day one.

"He's always wanted me to play in the World Cup and he's really happy for me.

"Hopefully it will make me a better player for Manchester United because of the experience of playing in a tournament like this."