Team USA striker Jozy Altidore has recovered in time from his ankle injury to start for his country against England on Saturday in both countries’ opening World Cup 2010 finals match in Group B.

Altidore was a doubt in the week leading up to the game after suffering an ankle injury and the Villarreal strtiker missed the friendly against Australia. However, the striker has now been declared fit by USA coach Bob Bradley and the latter will pick him for the starting lineup to face the Three Lions, with the coach placing his confidence in a player whom he believes has improved after spending last season with Hull City in the Premier League.

“It was an important year for Jozy,” Bradley said. “Any player that has gone to the Premier League finds out about the level and the competitiveness.

“But I think he grew a lot at Hull and the one thing I would always say about Jozy, from our experiences with him, is when he’s come into our camps he’s shown that, when things don’t come easily it’s helped him. He comes in with a level of determination and ready to prove himself. He knows we believe in him. That’s why he continues to be important for us.”

Bradley also claimed that the USA would need to stop England star Wayne Rooney if they intend to start their campaign on a positive note. The striker has been marked out by many as one of the potential stars of the tournament and is one of the odds-on favourites to become the top goalscorer in the 2010 World Cup finals.

“I would concede stopping Rooney is the key to our chances of success. He’s such an important player in their team. He comes here off a super season. Our ability to keep track of him and make life hard for him is a key part of us making sure we can win,” said Bradley.

Tags: Bob Bradley, England, Jozy Altidore, United States, USA, World Cup, World Cup 2010