HEINZE RARING TO GO

Last updated : 04 June 2006 By Ed

"It was a complicated injury, I never thought I'd make it even though I had an objective and a stimulus to keep fighting.

"The truth is that many times it crossed my mind that I wouldn't play again this season.

"I'm smiling, I know how hard I worked and I never lost sight of my objective which was to play again so I could be at the World Cup.

"I'm simply going to show my team mates and the medical staff and the coach who believed in me.

"I don't have to show Manchester or their manager anything. That's something else."

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"If I have to kick Wayne Rooney I will do it! I defend my shirt when I play for Argentina.

"I am very proud to play for my country and I really hope I can do that in Germany.

"I always like to face the best players in the world and Rooney is one of the best — I'd love to come up against him this summer.

"He has been amazing in the last two season at Manchester United and there is no limit to how good he can be

PA:

Heinze, 28, who missed most of Manchester United's season because of a serious knee injury, managed only gym work while his team-mates trained in public.

Gerardo Salorio, assistant to head coach Jose Pekerman, said: "There's nothing wrong at all. He stayed in the gym only to avoid any risks."