Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will be out for 2 months following an injury sustained during the opening match of the season against Reading. The 21 year old sustained a hairline metartarsal fracture which will also see him miss out on Euro 2008 qualifiers for England in September. This is the third metatarsal break for Rooney in as many years.

Sir Alex Ferguson expects that his young star will not make a return until October. Manchester United could only manage a draw in their opening game of the season. Rooney will be a big miss for them as they try to hold onto their title. Fellow strikers Saha and Tevez are both short on match fitness to fill in the role. The injury was sustained during the first half of the Reading game when Michael Duberry stood on the striker’s foot accidentally during play. Rooney will be a big miss for England as coach Steve McClaren struggles with a striker shortage. Owen is still struggling with injury whilst 6ft 7 Peter Crouch is suspended for the game against Israel.