England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will not be ready to resume training for a minimum of three weeks, it was revealed on Friday, meaning that he is likely to miss the group stages of the World Cup Finals.

Scans have shown that his injured foot is healing but, according to doctors, he is unlikely to be back to match-fitness before the knockout stages of the tournament.

Hopes were, that the 20-year-old might feature earlier in the tournament after reports that he was making a quick recovery from the broken metatarsal he suffered against Chelsea in April.

But the doctors at Manchester United, who have been treating his injury, indicated that he would need more time to recuperate.

Rooney will join-up with the England squad in Manchester before travelling with the players to Germany on June 5.

The striker, regarded as an integral part of England's hope of lifting the World Cup for the first time since 1966, will have another scan in Manchester on June 14, when it will be determined if he can play any part in the Three Lions’ challenge in Germany.

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