BUHLERTAL, Germany, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard both took part in the full training on Thursday as England's preparations ahead of their World Cup opener against Paraguay gathered pace.

    A back strain kept Gerrard out of the session on Wednesday, while Rooney was expected to train with the physio again as his rehabilitation continues.

    However, both took a full part in the opening warm-up exercises on Thursday.

    Further encouragement was evident when Rooney, during the ball work section of training, put in a heavy challenge on defender John Terry.

    For a second day, only the first 15 minutes of the session were open to cameras and the media, but the players looked relaxed on another fine day.

    The session was England's last in Baden-Baden before Saturday's game at the Waldstadion, with the squad due to travel to Frankfurt on Friday.

    There they will have one last practice at the stadium in the afternoon, before the finals kick off in earnest for them against Anibal Ruiz's side. Enditem