MANCHESTER (England), Aug 13: Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is likely to be out of action for two months after breaking his left foot against Reading on Sunday. Rooney will miss England's two Euro 2008 qualifiers in September but United manager Alex Ferguson said the striker could be fit in time for the tie with Estonia on Oct 13.

“It will be two months out,” Ferguson said on Monday. “To be on the safe side, we would say it is going to be two months, but hopefully he can come back quicker.”

“It's a bad blow for England and I'm disappointed for (England coach) Steve McClaren. I spoke to him last night and I could sense the disappointment. It's a bad blow for him.

“They have options for the games against Israel and Russia in September.”

Rooney is definitely out of England's friendly against Germany on Aug 22 and the home matches against Israel on Sept 8 and against Russia four days later.—Reuters