BUEHLERTAL, Germany _ Positive thinking.

It seems to have smoothed England striker Wayne Rooney's recovery from a broken foot that threatened to keep him out of the World Cup.

"I stayed positive and kept believing that I'd play in the World Cup," Rooney said Wednesday. "I never let negative thoughts come into my mind."

Whether that really shortened his comeback is moot. Fact is, Rooney has improved with every match since returning against Trinidad and Tobago and he will lead England's attack against Portugal in Saturday's quarterfinal.

He'll be hoping this quarterfinal will turn out better than the last one against the Portuguese.

Two years ago at the European Championship, Rooney was replaced after breaking the same foot and Portugal went on to win in a penalty shootout.

"You've got to try and forget that really, and look forward," Rooney said. "I certainly won't be going into the game thinking about revenge but it'd be nice to beat them."

A first World Cup goal would also be welcome.

"Obviously, I'm hungry to score. I want to score as soon as I can, whether it's this game, or the next game or the one after that," Rooney said.

The Manchester United striker, who injured his foot again April 29 in a league game against Chelsea, said he never doubted that he would return in time to play in Germany.

"It was only a small break and the doctors told me if I worked hard, it would heal," Rooney said. "It has."

Doctors cleared Rooney to play just hours before his World Cup debut as a second-half substitute in England's second game against Trinidad. He said doctors told him he wouldn't be easily re-injured.

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