Rooney comeback delayed

Rooney may not be ready to face Wales

Wayne Rooney will be out of action for at least another three weeks as he recovers from a broken foot.

The 18-year-old is not now expected to make his Manchester United debut until 3 October, six days before England play Wales in a World Cup qualifier.

"Wayne is coming along fine, but after the injury he has had, he is still working with the remedial department," said United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

"He is training on his own and he should be ready in maybe three weeks."

Rooney was hoping to make his England comeback against Wales at Old Trafford, and then travel to Azerbaijan for the second of a World Cup double-header.

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However, United may prefer not to rush their £27m striker back into action, and could hold him back for the visit to Birmingham on 16 October, missing the England games altogether.

Rooney limped out of England's Euro 2004 quarter-final defeat at the hands of Portgual in June.

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