Injured Rooney a World Cup doubt
Wayne Rooney is a doubt for the World Cup after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his right foot during Manchester United's 3-0 defeat at Chelsea.
The 20-year-old striker has been told he may be out for six weeks, exactly the amount of time until England's first game against Paraguay on 10 June.
He was carried off after an innocuous challenge by Chelsea's Paulo Ferreira.
England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson will name his provisional World Cup squad on 8 May and his definitive one by 15 May.
The 20-year-old striker has been told he may be out for six weeks, exactly the amount of time until England's first game against Paraguay on 10 June.
He was carried off after an innocuous challenge by Chelsea's Paulo Ferreira.
England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson will name his provisional World Cup squad on 8 May and his definitive one by 15 May.
Under Fifa rules, coaches can replace players injured after the 15 May deadline, but not those hurt before.
The Swede has previously said he would gamble on Rooney's fitness - even if there was only a small chance of him being fit for the tournament.
The England coach said in March: "If Rooney has a small problem, would you still take him? What alternative do you have?
"If you have a centre-half who might not be ready you can take another one but can you find another Rooney?"
United issued a statement on their website regarding the injury on Saturday evening.
It read: "Wayne Rooney has a fracture of the base of the fourth metatarsal on his right foot. He will be out for six weeks."
The Swede has previously said he would gamble on Rooney's fitness - even if there was only a small chance of him being fit for the tournament.
The England coach said in March: "If Rooney has a small problem, would you still take him? What alternative do you have?
"If you have a centre-half who might not be ready you can take another one but can you find another Rooney?"
United issued a statement on their website regarding the injury on Saturday evening.
It read: "Wayne Rooney has a fracture of the base of the fourth metatarsal on his right foot. He will be out for six weeks."
Sports injury expert Roger Roberton said Rooney can forget about playing in England's first two matches at the World Cup.
"I'd doubt very much if he makes the first game or even the second game," Roberton told BBC Radio Five Live.
"I would say seven weeks. From five weeks onwards just build up the exercise and see how it goes.
"Obviously England will have machines in Germany to monitor it, to see if there is any damage being caused through exercise.
"They have to build it up from about four or five weeks and then see how it goes."
The youngster is seen as an integral part of England's bid to win the World Cup in Germany.
He broke a bone in the same foot during England's quarter-final defeat by Portugal in Euro 2004.
"I'd doubt very much if he makes the first game or even the second game," Roberton told BBC Radio Five Live.
"I would say seven weeks. From five weeks onwards just build up the exercise and see how it goes.
"Obviously England will have machines in Germany to monitor it, to see if there is any damage being caused through exercise.
"They have to build it up from about four or five weeks and then see how it goes."
The youngster is seen as an integral part of England's bid to win the World Cup in Germany.
He broke a bone in the same foot during England's quarter-final defeat by Portugal in Euro 2004.
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