hyden

  



Injured ankle in training rules out Rooney

Wayne Rooney has been ruled out for four weeks after suffering an ankle injury in training on Friday. The Manchester United striker left Carrington on crutches and will miss Sunday's Premier League clash with Blackburn and most likely their remaining two group matches in the Champions League. However, far more importantly, Rooney will also be unavailable for England's friendly with Austria next week and the Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia at Wembley on November 21. England coach Steve McClaren had only just named Rooney in his squad and greeted the news with understandable disappointment. 'It is hugely disappointing for us and him,' he said. 'Given the form he has been in and the contribution he has made to England over the last two games means it is a blow. 'But we have to deal with it, like we have dealt with situations like these before. 'It is an opportunity for someone else to come and do a job.'

hyden

Wayne Rooney will be out of action for up to four weeks after injuring his ankle in training on Friday.

The striker will miss Sunday's match against Blackburn Rovers. Fortunately the upcoming international break means he could miss as little as three further games, against Bolton, Sporting Lisbon and Fulham.

Sir Alex will be hopeful of having the 22-year-old striker ready for action for the trip to Anfield on 16 December.

A club spokesperson told ManUtd.com: "Wayne Rooney injured his right ankle in training and will be out for about four weeks."

It is even more frustrating considering Rooney's scintillating form since overcoming a fractured metatarsal sustained on the opening day of the season.

He has only just been named Barclays Player of the Month for October, having netted eight goals in his last seven games.

Sir Alex had said earlier on Friday that he wants to use Louis Saha sparingly and from the substitutes' bench, but he will now be forced to call on the Frenchman as Carlos Tevez's regular strike-partner.