Wayne Rooney broken his left foot

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has broken his left foot, his club said delivering a major blow to the Premiership champions and England's Euro 2008 hopes. "Wayne Rooney has suffered a hairline fracture of his left foot," said a statement released by the English champions on their official website.

The 21-year-old lasted just 45 minutes of Sunday's 0-0 Old Trafford draw against Reading, the team's opening league match of the season, before being replaced by Nani following a collision with Michael Duberry. The news will be a blow for United as well as England who face crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel on September 8 and Russia at Wembley.

The club didn't comment on how long the star striker would be sidelined but it's expected to keep him out for a month making him unavailable for the matches against Ports-mouth and Manchester City and England's friendly with Ger many on August 22.

FACTFILE

June 2004: Playing for England, Rooney fractures a metatarsal in his left foot while chasing the ball during the Euro 2004 quarterfinal against Portugal.

April 2006: Just over a month before the start of the World Cup, Rooney fractured another metatarsal, this time in his right foot, in a clash with Paulo Ferreira during a league match against Chelsea.

August 2007: Rooney's Premeriship campaign lasts just 37 minutes before fracturing his left foot for the second time in his career in a challenge with Michael Duberry. Another lengthy spell on the sidelines looms.