Rooney suffers injury blow

England striker ruled out of Croatia clash

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 9th November 2007

Wayne Rooney

Rooney: Ankle injury

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Wayne Rooney is facing four weeks on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury in training.

The Manchester United striker will now miss England's final Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia at Wembley on 21st November.

A club spokesman said: "Wayne Rooney picked up an ankle injury in training and will be out for about four weeks."

The 22-year-old has been in superb form recently, forming an impressive partnership with Carlos Tevez, and was named the Barclays Player of the Month for October.

England boss Steve McClaren will now have to re-think his striking options against Croatia and the preceeding friendly with Austria with Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe in contention to partner Michael Owen.

Blow

McClaren said: "It is hugely disappointing for us and him.

"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."

Rooney will miss Sunday's clash with Blackburn at Old Trafford and the forthcoming Premier League fixtures against Bolton, Fulham and Derby.

The star striker will also miss the UEFA Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon, but could return against Roma on 12th December.

But with Sir Alex Ferguson's side already through to the last 16, Rooney is unlikely to be rushed back into action.

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