Rooney withdraws from England squad
Wayne Rooney forced out of England squad with calf strain
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Monday, 12, Oct 2009 08:24
By inthenews.co.uk staff.
Wayne Rooney has been withdrawn from the England squad ahead of Wednesday night's friendly against Belarus after picking up a calf injury.
The Manchester United striker will remain with the international set-up for scans on Monday morning before returning to Old Trafford to be further assessed by his club's medical team.
Rooney was forced to run himself into the ground in England's World Cup qualifier in Ukraine, which ended in a 1-0 defeat after Rob Green was sent off in giving away a penalty - consequently missed by Andriy Shevchenko - before Sergiy Nazarenko's deflected shot gave the home side the win.
No announcement has been made over a possible replacement for Rooney, 23, who - as the joint top-scorer in the European World Cup qualifying campaign - was expected to start against Belarus.
He will now face a battle to be back in time for his club side's Premier League clash with Bolton at the weekend.
The injury means there is a good chance Fabio Capello will look at his other options in attack - with West Ham's Carlton Cole being tipped to earn a starting berth.
In other team news, Rooney's United team-mate Ben Foster has been drafted into the squad as cover for suspended goalkeeper Green.
David James, Green's replacement against Ukraine, is likely to start at Wembley with Foster - who missed out on the original squad after suffering bruised ribs - on the bench.