Baby boy for Wayne Rooney and Coleen

Rooney's wife Colleen is due to give birth (GETTY IMAGES)

England footballer Wayne Rooney's wife Coleen today gave birth to a baby boy.

The child, who the couple have named Kai Wayne Rooney, was born at 2.20pm at Liverpool Women's Hospital, their spokesman said.

The spokesman added: "Mother and baby are both absolutely fine. Wayne and Coleen are thrilled with the wonderful addition to their family life."

Rooney, 24, was absent from training for his club Manchester United this morning amid growing speculation that his wife was set to give birth to the couple's first child.

He will now almost certainly be excused from playing for his side in their next fixture against CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford tomorrow.

News that Coleen, 23, was pregnant emerged earlier this year although rumours had regularly circulated since the couple's spectacular wedding on the Italian Riviera last summer.

Coleen is the eldest of four children to bricklayer dad Tony and nursery nurse mum Colette. Wayne is the eldest of three. Both have large extended families.