England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has taken another piece of silverware after being voted England Player of the Year for a second year in succession. With almost 40 percent of the vote, Rooney was a clear choice from the thousands of fans who decided upon the star performer of 2009 in the online poll on TheFA.com. Playing in nine of England's eleven matches, scoring six times, Rooney was an integral part of the key games that saw Fabio Capello's men clinch qualification for the World Cup. Scoring in crucial victories over Kazakhstan and Andorra, Rooney was also on target against Croatia in the crushing 5-1 victory that sealed England's place in South Africa. To end the year on another personal high, Rooney captained his country for the first time in the friendly with Brazil. On receiving the prize, Rooney said: “It's a great honor that the fans have voted for me for a second time. I want to thank them again for all their support and backing. “The first time I won was a special feeling for me, and this is just as good. I've always given everything for my country and it's nice to know the fans appreciate your performances. Last year was very positive for England, we qualified for South Africa which was our main aim, and we put in some really promising team performances. “Hopefully we can build on that form and get better and better this year, most importantly of all at the World Cup.” Rooney fit to face Egypt In-form striker Wayne Rooney has declared himself fit for England's Wembley friendly against Egypt Wednesday after a scan on his injured knee revealed no serious damage. Rooney came off the bench to score the winner in Manchester United's 2-1 win over Aston Villa in Sunday's League Cup final and manager Alex Ferguson said that a further knock to his already-painful knee left him in doubt for Wednesday's match. Rooney, however, said he expected to play. “It's OK, I went for a scan today and it's just a bit of bruising,” he told a televised news conference Monday. “It's a bit of a rest day today. I should train tomorrow and hopefully play Wednesday.” Sunday's winner made it seven goals from the last eight with his head. “I've scored a few headers of late,” he said. “I've worked on it for the last couple of years now. Delivery this year has been better, my movement and timing on headers have improved and it's all come together.” Rooney also had words of support for John Terry, who was stripped of the captaincy after newspaper allegations over his affair with the ex-girlfriend of his former Chelsea teammate Wayne Bridge. “John Terry is a leader for our team and although he hasn't got the armband he's still a great player and a great leader and it's been no different since we met up,” Rooney said. “He is a great player, he's been named in the World XI for the last three years and there are no worries about his form.” Rooney declined to comment on Bridge's decision to retire from international duty in the wake of the revelations but said he hoped the Wembley crowd would give Terry a good reception. “I've been in a team when a few players have been booed at Wembley, it's not nice and it doesn't send the right message,” he said. England is playing African Nations Cup winner Egypt to help prepare for the World Cup group stage opponent Algeria.
