Rooney's World Cup under threat

Leg brace
Rooney was stretchered off with his right foot wrapped in a surgical brace following a challenge by Paulo Ferreira with ten minutes to go and his club announced on Saturday night that the he had suffered a similar injury to the one sustained by Michael Owen in December. "Wayne Rooney has a fracture of the base of the fourth metatarsal on his right foot. He will be out for six weeks," said a brief statement on United's website.

Vital player
Rooney is seen as vital to England's chances of success at the World Cup which starts in Germany on 9 June. They play their first match against Paraguay in Frankfurt on 10 June. The 20-year-old, who has scored 11 times in 29 international appearances, limped out of UEFA European Championships 2004™ when he suffered a foot injury during England's quarter-final defeat by hosts Portugal.

Owen concerns
Michael Owen, sidelined for four months, made his comeback from the injury as a substitute in Newcastle United's goalless draw with Birmingham City on Saturday but was also uncomfortable with his injury. "There is a little bit of a dull ache there, so he [Owen] is being honest, as he always is," Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder told the club's website. "He is not saying he is feeling a sharp pain or an excessive pain but he just doesn't feel 100 percent right."

Mourinho worried
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said he was scared for Rooney, although he was initially told the injury was not too serious. "England need the boy, the World Cup needs the boy," said the Portuguese coach. "I know Paulo did not touch him but the worst kind of injuries can be where there was no contact." Ironically, Rooney had earlier inflicted a nasty injury on Chelsea defender and England team mate John Terry when he slid into a challenge and raked his studs along the top of the central defender's foot.

Terry treatment
Terry needed two minutes of treatment on the pitch and had ten stitches inserted in the wound at halftime. The Chelsea captain, who has played in all of his side's league games this season, was able to return for the second half although he was clearly in pain and was hobbling long before the final whistle. Chelsea won the match 3-0 to clinch the title for the second year in succession.