Wayne Rooney Lashes Out at Injury Doubters

Wayne Rooney has reacted angrily to accusations regarding his England commitment by posting graphic images of the head injury which forces him out of the World Cup qualifying double-header against Moldova and Ukraine.

Manchester United manager David Moyes ruled Rooney out of the Premier League trip to Liverpool as well as England's qualifying matches with a cut to the head following a training ground accident involving Phil Jones.

Rooney's future was the subject of intense speculation this summer, rumours which were swelled by the 27 year old's absence from United's pre-season schedule with mystery hamstring and shoulder injuries.

The ex-Evertonian's subsequent appearance for England in the international friendly against Scotland before the season began drew questions over the legitimacy of Rooney's previous injuries, but after publishing photographic evidence of his latest injury on Facebook, the United man has quelled suggestions over his commitment to his country.

"Some people seem to be questioning my commitment to the England squad and the fact I had to pull out of the 2 games [sic]," Rooney wrote on Facebook.

"There's nothing I would like more than to be helping the lads in the qualifiers. I'm sure people will see from these images the reason why I won't be able to play.

Rooney featured for United in the Premier League opener against Swansea City before making his first club start of the season against Chelsea.

But he sat out the league defeat to Liverpool with the head injury which according to Moyes will keep him out for three weeks.

"Wayne Rooney has got a cut down his forehead, it was completely accidental," the United boss told Sky Sports on Sunday.

"It will keep him out for a few weeks. I would think he's got no chance of playing for England."

"It [the cut] is right down the middle of his forehead where you haven't got much skin; it'll take a wee while to heal. I'd be guessing he'll be out for three weeks," added Moyes.

"It was an accident. He turned around and Phil Jones had just lifted his boot and it caught him right down the middle of his forehead."

Should the initial diagnosis prove correct, Rooney will be fit to return for United for the Premier League trip to Manchester City on 22 September and will be available for the climax to England's World Cup qualifying campaign against Montenegro and Poland in October.