Rooney's injury may not be bad enough to keep him out of WC

London, Mar 31(ANI): Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, who injured his ankle in his club's Champions League game against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, has been ruled out of action for a month.

Though that means that he will not kick another ball for United this season, fears of his non-availibity for this summer's World Cup in South Africa, appear to have been discounted.

Rooney had limped off in agony after a challenge by Bayern striker Mario Gomez in the final seconds of United's Champions League defeat.

According to reports, the 24-year-old hobbled away from the Allianz Arena on crutches with his ankle in a protective plastic cast.

The injury means that Rooney will also miss the crucial return match against Bayern next Wednesday, with United already trailing 2-1 after Ivica Olic's dramatic late winner.

Rooney will fly back to Manchester with his team-mates before being ferried away for a private MRI scan on the right ankle ligaments, The Mirror reports.

It is the 12th significant foot or ankle injury the striker has suffered in his career - and there are already growing concerns over a knee problem he is carrying. (ANI)