Rooney could be ready for the knockout stages

WAYNE ROONEY has no chance of figuring in England’s group matches at the World Cup but could be ready for the knockout stages, according to sports injury expert Roger Roberton.

Rooney broke the fourth metatarsal in his right foot during Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat by Chelsea on Saturday, sparking fears he could miss the entire tournament which begins in 40 days.

“Wayne is young and has a good team around him. The main thing is he mustn’t do any hard-impact exercise,” said Roberton yesterday.

“It’s better for him to swim. Being young it can take between four and six weeks for this injury to repair properly. “He must build up gradually the amount of exercise he does and have rest days between sessions. When running 40 or 50% of the body’s weight is put on the metatarsal’s head.

“He should rest and not do much exercise and should be back to normal in four to six weeks.

“I would doubt very much if he could make the first game, or even the second, of the group stages. I would say he can be back in seven weeks. I would build up between four and five weeks.”

Bobby Robson believes England have gone from “possible World Cup winners to outsiders” following Rooney’s injury.

“The news about Wayne is depressingly sad,” former England boss Robson admitted.

“Without him England have gone from possible World Cup winners to outsiders. You cannot replace Rooney. I don’t think there’s another player like him in the country or in Europe.

“He’s a very special player and without him Sven’s team’s chances are dim. Undoubtedly England are outsiders without him.”

However, Robson insists Rooney must be taken to Germany if there is a chance he will figure beyond the group stages.

“We need top medical advice. We need a decision on how long it will take for him to recover,” he said.

“If it’s two weeks does that mean he can play within six weeks, or does it mean six weeks recuperation time and then he can start training?

“If it’s six weeks out then he can’t make it. But if he’s playing within six weeks then you take him. We have enough quality to beat the teams we will face in the group matches without him.

“What you need is your top players for the quarters, semis and final. That’s when Rooney becomes crucial. If you can get him back for the quarter-finals then you take a chance and take him.

“You take five strikers anyway and one could be a lame duck right until the end.”