Rooney to miss England qualifiers

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will miss England’s September Euro 2008 qualifiers after suffering a hairline fracture of his left foot on Sunday. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes Rooney will be out until October after the 21-year-old was injured in the Premier League opener with Reading.

“We expect him to be out for two months,” said Ferguson.

That rules Rooney out of the key home matches against Israel on 8 September and then Russia four days later.

It could also leave a question mark over his participation in England’s qualifiers against Estonia on 13 October and Russia on 17 October.

Rooney will also miss England’s friendly against Germany at Wembley on 22 August.

His absence will be a concern for England coach Steve McClaren, whose side currently lie fourth in qualifying group E and face a struggle to qualify for Euro 2008.

Mourinho waits on Essien injury

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is waiting for news on a knee injury suffered by Michael Essien after the midfielder scored the winner against Birmingham. The Ghana star was substituted with 21 minutes remaining of Sunday’s 3-2 win.

“It was something in the knee ligament. He was in pain, I had two midfielders on the bench so I made the change immediately,” said Mourinho.

“If you asked me, I would say I do not know if he will be fit for Wednesday’s match against Reading.”

Essien’s winner came as Chelsea set a new English record of 64 unbeaten home matches in the top flight.

Mourinho enjoyed some positive news as Didier Drogba came off the bench after missing the Community Shield match against Manchester United because of injury, while Claude Makelele and Paulo Ferreira are expected to train on Monday.

source:bbcsports

Beckham sits out LA Galaxy defeat

David Beckham’s troublesome ankle injury led to the midfielder sitting out Los Angeles Galaxy’s 1-0 defeat by New England Revolution. Beckham, 32, who was not even named among the substitutes, watched as Taylor Twellman scored the only goal.

“I’m always disappointed when I can’t play but I’m working hard so I’ll be able to play again soon,” said Beckham.

He expects to be selected for England’s friendly against Germany on 22 August, even if he is not fit to play.

England boss Steve McClaren watched as Beckham made his Major League Soccer debut on Thursday, coming on for the final 18 minutes of Galaxy’s 1-0 defeat by DC United.

The former England captain said: “I spoke to Steve about my fitness and how it has been over here.

“He said he is looking forward to me coming over, even if I can’t play. It is important that all the players are together.