Wayne Rooney dealt Manchester United and England a major blow yesterday when he was ruled out of action for up to three weeks with an ankle injury.

The troubled striker, who had already been left at home for today’s Champions League trip to Valencia, will miss England’s Euro 2012 qualifying match against Montenegro on October 12.

“It will be two to three weeks,” said United boss Alex Ferguson ahead of tonight’s Champions League match against the La Liga leaders.

“But it depends because Wayne has done quite well with his recovery from injury in the past.”

Rooney has been out of form all season, scoring just one goal, while having to contend with newspaper allegations of an extra-marital affair with a prostitute.

He missed United’s trip to Spain after he suffered an ankle injury during the 2-2 Premier League draw away to Bolton on Sunday, where he was substituted with 30 minutes left at the Reebok Stadium.

Rooney is now also set to miss United’s league game away to Sunderland on Saturday as well as the England tie.

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