Fergie Roos Injury

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney's freak injury could be the final nail in the coffin of England's Euro 2008 hopes.

The in-form Manchester United striker is facing four weeks on the sidelines after damaging his ankle during a game of head tennis in training.

"I think Rooney was the man who could take England to the European championships," Ferguson told Manchester United Radio.

"It was an absolute freak accident.

"He was playing a game of head tennis and he caught his foot on the stanchion that holds up the net. It's a sickening blow, but we hope he'll be back in four weeks.

"He's been in red-hot form recently, but that's football. He'll miss our games against Blackburn and Bolton - and it's obviously a big loss for England too."