Rooney 'won't be able to train for six weeks'

Scans show that his injured foot is healing, but he is unlikely to be available to play before the later stages of the World Cup, according to doctors.

Hopes had been raised that the 20-year-old might feature earlier in the tournament after reports that he was making a quick recovery from the broken metatarsal he suffered last month.

But Manchester United doctors who have been handling his treatment indicated today that he would need more time.

The striker, regarded as key to England's hope of lifting football's top trophy for the first time since 1966, will have another scan on June 14.