Rooney and Rio exempt from US tour

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON has agreed to leave Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand out of England’s post-season mini-tour to the US after talks with Alex Ferguson.

Their absences could mean a first call-up for Southampton centre-forward Peter Crouch and a recall for Tottenham central midfielder Michael Carrick.

However, Eriksson’s willingness to accede to a request from the United boss is likely to frustrate other club managers .