With just over two months until the World Cup, England talisman Wayne Rooney has sustained what looked like a potentially serious ankle injury.
The Manchester United forward limped off in agony towards the end of the Red Devils' 2-1 defeat away at Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Rooney, one of the world's top players this season with a stunning 34 goals for United, went over on his right ankle in the dying seconds of the match, causing immediate concern for United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and England counterpart Fabio Capello.
The fears of the Three Lions appear to be have been alleviated by the initial prognosis, but the Red Devils will be without their attacking ace for a significant spell during the title run-in.
He is already rated a major doubt for Saturday's Premier League title showdown with Chelsea and next week's return against Bayern, and there are fears he could be sidelined for anything up to six weeks.
"He has got a kick to the ankle, we will just have to wait and see tomorrow (Wednesday)," Ferguson told Sky Sports.
"Hopefully it's not too serious. He may be doubtful for Saturday but we don't know, it's too early to say."
The situation has echoes of 2006 when Rooney fractured a metatarsal bone in his right foot in April and struggled to capture top form during the World Cup in Germany that June.
England have already lost David Beckham to an Achilles injury, while left-back Ashley Cole is racing to be fit for England's first game against the United States on June 12.
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| Photo: AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson |
Rooney, one of the world's top players this season with a stunning 34 goals for United, went over on his right ankle in the dying seconds of the match, causing immediate concern for United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and England counterpart Fabio Capello.
The fears of the Three Lions appear to be have been alleviated by the initial prognosis, but the Red Devils will be without their attacking ace for a significant spell during the title run-in.
He is already rated a major doubt for Saturday's Premier League title showdown with Chelsea and next week's return against Bayern, and there are fears he could be sidelined for anything up to six weeks.
"He has got a kick to the ankle, we will just have to wait and see tomorrow (Wednesday)," Ferguson told Sky Sports.
"Hopefully it's not too serious. He may be doubtful for Saturday but we don't know, it's too early to say."
The situation has echoes of 2006 when Rooney fractured a metatarsal bone in his right foot in April and struggled to capture top form during the World Cup in Germany that June.
England have already lost David Beckham to an Achilles injury, while left-back Ashley Cole is racing to be fit for England's first game against the United States on June 12.
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