Rooney blow for United and England

12 April 2012

Wayne Rooney looks set for an extended spell on the sidelines after Manchester United confirmed the £27million striker suffered a hairline fracture of his left foot during Sunday afternoon's 0-0 draw with Reading.

The incident occurred near the end of the opening period when Rooney fired a low cross from Michael Carrick just over the crossbar.

In attempting to make a tackle, Michael Duberry accidentally trod on Rooney's foot amd it was clear instantly Rooney had a problem, as he went down and removed his boot.

Although he was able to continue briefly, he did not reappear for the second half, with Ferguson sending the 21-year-old for a scan.

Although the United boss expressed the hope the damage would not be too bad, his worst fears now appear to have been confirmed, although the precise extent of the injury is not known.

However, having already suffered two broken metatarsals in his career already, the last against Chelsea in 2006 which nearly cost Rooney a place in that summer's World Cup finals, it would be a big surprise if the former Everton man was not sidelined for a couple of months at least.

Certainly, he will miss United's forthcoming Premier League encounters with Portsmouth and Manchester City, plus England's friendly with Germany on August 22.

In all probability England coach Steve McClaren will also be without his first choice striker for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia at the beginning of next month.

Ferguson said: "There was no point in him continuing because there was a lot of swelling and he had quite a lot of pain."

With Rooney out and both Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer only returning to training after long-term injuries last week, Ferguson seems certain to hand Carlos Tevez his debut at Fratton Park on Wednesday.

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