Left: Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (left) reacts after receiving a hairline fracture of his left foot in a challenge by Reading's Michael Duberry during their goalless English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford Stadium. Right: Chelsea's Florent Malouda celebrates after scoring against Birmingham City during their English Premier League soccer match at Stamford Bridge Stadium yesterday. Chelsea won 3-1. - AP Photo/Graham Hughes

LONDON (Reuters):

England striker Wayne Rooney suffered a hairline fracture of his left foot in Manchester United's 0-0 draw with Reading yesterday, the Premier League champions announced.

Rooney, who also broke a bone in his right foot during Euro 2004 and another bone in the right foot just before the 2006 World Cup, had the latest injury confirmed by a hospital visit, the club said on its website (www.manutd.com).

"The England striker was substituted at half-time after being caught by Michael Duberry as the Royals defender tried to block a shot," United said.

"Although Rooney did briefly play on after receiving treatment, Sir Alex Ferguson opted not to risk any further injury by fielding him in the second half anda post-match hospital scan has validated that decision.

"The result of Rooney's scan has worsened a frustrating opening day of the season, and as yet there is no timescale of his recovery."

Rooney's injury, which could rule him out for around three months, is a major blow to both club and country, who were already facing a real battle to qualify for Euro 2008.

The striker, United's joint top scorer last season with Cristiano Ronaldo on 23 goals, is a vital part of England's bid to reach the European Championship finals in Austria and Switzerland.

England, under Steve McClaren, are lying fourth in Group E with 14 points from seven games after a lacklustre campaign in which the coach has faced considerable criticism.

They trail Russia with 15 points, Israel on 17 from eight games and leaders Croatia, who also have 17.

Rooney will almost certainly miss their next games at home to Israel on September 8, and Russia four days later. He also faces a struggle to feature in October, when England host Estonia and then travel to Russia for a game on October 17 considered as pivotal to their qualifying chances.

The 21-year-old should be in contention for their final qualifier at home to Croatia on November 21 - by which time England's fate could already be decided.

McClaren gets an early chance to look at his options in England's friendly against Germany at Wembley on August 22.

The injury woes of the hugely talented striker were key reasons for England's exits at their last two tournaments.

Rooney broke a metatarsal in the early stages of England's quarter-final loss to hosts Portugal in 2004 and his lack of form after another injury was a big factor in their defeat by the same opponents at the same stage of last year's World Cup.