By DPA
London : Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after he suffered a hairline fracture of his left foot in his side’s goalless home draw with Reading.
Reading defender Michael Duberry accidentally landed on the England striker’s foot 37 minutes into the game at Old Trafford, but Rooney played on until half-time.
He did not appear for the second half and a scan showed that the 21-year-old had suffered a hairline fracture.
“It was a painful blow and Wayne could not really stand on his foot,” United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said after the match.
“I do not think it is as serious an injury as when he broke his metatarsal (in April 2006). “But his foot did start to swell and it was not worth starting him in the second half.”