Wayne Rooney backed for sensational England return after Sam Allardyce puts him on special sports science programme
Everton boss is behind resurgent Rooney by putting him on a secret sports science programme – with medics also cooking up a special diet for the ex-Manchester United striker
WAYNE ROONEY could still be set for a sensational World Cup recall - if boss Sam Allardyce gets his way.
Rooney has ruled himself out of an England comeback despite believing he "could still do a job".
But the Three Lions' all-time record scorer has hit sparkling form under his new Everton chief with 11 goals in all competitions.
And, we can reveal it is Big Sam behind the resurgent Rooney by putting him on a secret sports science programme – with medics also cooking up a special diet for the ex-Manchester United striker.
Allardyce is confident that the ground-breaking regime will see Rooney, 32, rolling back the years in the final months of the Premier League season.
A source close to the former England boss said: "Believe me, it wouldn’t surprise me if there are fresh calls for him to come out of retirement and join England for one last time in the World Cup finals in Russia."
The gruff-speaking manager spoke eagerly of how he is licking Rooney back into top shape – thanks to the sports science programme he has taken to Everton.
The source added: "It’s just brilliant and Sam hopes to get Wayne into the best shape for many years."
A football colleague added: "The programme uses a series of blood tests which examines the players’ metabolic rate and food intolerances.
"Once all that data is finalised a special diet will be formulated aimed at getting Wayne into the absolute tip-top condition.
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"Big Sam is really excited about Wayne’s next few months at Everton – the player has already hit a purple patch under Sam and the boss can just see it all going further.
"Sam was serious when he told us that Wayne will roll back the years under him and he believes there will be calls for him to come out of retirement one last time and play for England in the World Cup finals.
"It would be sensational if it happened and in football you just never know.”
The dad-of-three, whose wife Coleen is expecting their fourth child, has been in a rich vein of form under Sam scoring goals for fun.
He quit international football back in August after 119 appearances and 53 goals.
England boss Gareth Southgate is set to take a youthful squad to Russia and Rooney reckons they could step up and make a difference.
In an interview with talkSPORT last week he said of returning for England: "I believe I could go and do a job but I also feel I have had my time with England — I’ve seen Jamie Carragher come out of retirement for a World Cup.
"I’ve seen players do that and, for me, it’s not the right decision."