Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has suffered yet another injury setback ahead of the World Cup, after limping off during his side’s final game of the season against Stoke with a groin injury.
The 24-year-old striker effectively substituted himself after pulling up 15 minutes from time, hobbling away down the tunnel before his replacement Park Ji-Sung was ready to make the change.
News of Rooney’s injury scare comes days after damaged ankle ligaments saw Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry‘s hopes of making the World Cup dashed, and now England manager Fabio Capello faces the added headache of having to sweat over the fitness of his talismanic forward – just 24 hours before he is due to name his 30-man provisional squad for South Africa.
Rooney has seen his involvement in United’s anticlimatic title run-in peppered with a series of niggling injuries, however, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has assured Capello that his forward will convalesce in time for this summer’s tournament;
“He’s aggravated his groin again unfortunately, but I don’t think it’s too serious. I think he will be OK for England.”
Ferguson’s assistant manager Mike Phelan echoed his superior’s confidence by adding;
“He should be OK so all the phone calls and worries can be dispelled straight away. It was a precaution and I think Wayne can look forward to the World Cup.”
Despite the injury, Rooney was able to join his team-mates on a lap of honour at Old Trafford following the final whistle yesterday.
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