Rooney or loony?

It's not a bad idea to ease WR back into the Cup in stages, but am I being cynical thinking that the opposition will simply pound on the vulnerable foot 'til it caves in again?

It doesn't have to be obvious, of course, and the refs will be watching, but there have been countless instances thru the years - not just soccer and boxing but cricket and tennis - where known injuries have been targeted and worked on.

My fear is that our dumbo-eared author will emerge a worse cropper than he was sent in.

But great TV: can you imagine the endless slo-mo playbacks of the culprit tackle that lays him low? The heart-felt protestations of innocence of those who efficiently despatch him to the bench?

One of the first World footie jousts I've actually paid attention to.