Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is likely to miss England's opening two Euro 2008 qualifiers after suffering a suspected broken toe.

Ferdinand sustained the injury while trying to pass the ball out of defence during the closing stages United's 2-1 win at Watford in the Premiership yesterday, and is to have a scan today.

The result kept United at the top of the table thanks to three straight wins in as many matches - but it is bad news for new England boss Steve McClaren, who is preparing for the qualifier at home to Andorra next Saturday and in Macedonia the following Wednesday.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told the club's in-house TV station, MUTV: "We think Rio might have a broken toe, so I don't think he will be joining up with England. We will send him for a scan in the morning, but it looks as though it's a broken toe."