Rooney needs X-ray

Everton have sent striker Wayne Rooney to hospital for an X-ray on the ankle injury which resulted in him being stretchered off during the first half of his side’s 3-2 friendly win at Rangers.

The 17-year-old sustained the problem in the 36th minute and is thought to have damaged ligaments.

Manager David Moyes said: “He is going for an X-ray. We think he has gone over on his ankle. We will go and get him sorted.”

The injury makes Rooney not only a major doubt for the start of his club’s Premiership campaign but also England’s friendly with Croatia at Ipswich on August 20.

It is not the first time Rooney has suffered from a damaged ankle but Moyes said he believed this was a separate problem.

He said: “It’s nothing to do with what he had before. We hope it is not too bad but we are not taking any risks.”

The challenge, which involved Rangers midfielder Bob Malcolm, had seemed an innocuous one but when Rooney stayed down afterwards it was clear he would be unable to continue.

Moyes added: “He just said he put his foot over the ball, it went the other direction and he just went over on his ankle.”

The game was settled in stoppage time when an Alan Stubbs free-kick was deflected past goalkeeper Stefan Klos.

Rangers had taken a 21st-minute lead through Scotland striker Steven Thompson but that was cancelled out in the 65th minute from the penalty spot by David Unsworth after Michael Ball had been adjudged to have illegally blocked Thomas Radzinski.

Substitute Li Tie fired Everton ahead in the 79th minute with virtually his first kick since coming on as a substitute two minutes earlier.

Michael Mols netted an equaliser two minutes later but Stubbs had the last laugh.