Rooney blow hits England chances

Manchester United FC striker Wayne Rooney has been ruled out of England's final UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier against Croatia on 21 November after suffering an ankle injury during training that could keep him out of action for up to a month.

McClaren pressure
Rooney was named in manager Steve McClaren’s squad at noon but has since been withdrawn and will play no further part in England’s qualifying campaign. Rooney's injury adds to the pressure on McClaren who is already without key defenders John Terry and Rio Ferdinand for the potentially-decisive match against the Group E leaders.

Terrific form
Rooney has been in terrific form recently, scoring nine times in his last nine matches, including goals in England's win against Estonia and the defeat away by Russia last month. The injury is expected to keep the 22-year-old out of United's UEFA Champions League tie at home to Sporting Clube de Portugal on 27 November, though the English side are already safely through to the knockout round.