Wayne Rooney fit for Everton Europa League tie after overcoming groin problem, confirms Ronald Koeman

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Ronald Koeman has confirmed Wayne Rooney has overcome an injury scare as Everton aim to secure a place in the Europa League play-offs.

Rooney was included in the squad that travelled to Slovakia on Wednesday, despite nursing a groin problem. 

The issue had bothered the England international in the build-up to the first leg against MFK Ruzomberok but he played all 90 minutes in the 1-0 win.

Wayne Rooney has overcome a slight groin problem to be fit for Everton's Europa League clash

The forward, pictured with Duncan Ferguson, was able to train at Finch Farm on Wednesday 

Koeman has monitored Rooney over the past week and with the start of the new campaign just nine days away, Everton’s manager was prepared to leave it as late as possible before deciding whether to risk the 31-year-old. He trained at Finch Farm, though, and showed his well-being. 

‘Wayne had some groin issues in the last few days,’ said Koeman, who 'hopes' his £50million pursuit of Gylfi Sigurdsson is set to reach a successful conclusion after Swansea boss Paul Clement revealed the Iceland international will not feature against Sampdoria on Saturday.

‘But, on Tuesday, he did a normal training session and on Wednesday morning did a normal training session and he is fit to play.’

Everton’s lead going to the tiny stadium in the Slovakian mountains is slender but Koeman has worked on using three central defenders. If he opts to go with that formation, it would mean a recall for Phil Jagielka.

Ronald Koeman has monitored Rooney all week and declared he is fit to play in Slovakia

Everton captain Phil Jagielka has signed an extension keeping him at the club until 2019

The club captain signed a one-year contract extension; he had entered the final 12 months of his current deal but the new agreement runs to June 2019 and would mean Jagielka’s stay at the club running to 12 years.

Jagielka is no longer Everton’s first choice central defender and had the option of moving to Sunderland in January but the 34-year-old insisted but he has made it clear that slipping into the shadows is not an option.

‘That is what you want to be part of,’ said Jagielka. ‘The club is moving forward. I don’t think the transfer business is finished but it is good we’ve got people in nice and early. For the Chairman to offer me the extra year? Hopefully I can play my role, whatever that might be.’