England striker Wayne Rooney will definitely miss the start of their World Cup campaign in Germany with a broken foot.

Manchester United said in a statement released this morning that a scan showed the metatarsal break was healing as expected but another would be needed on June 14th - five days after the World Cup kickoff - to decide if he could play in the event.

In what appears to be a potentially fatal blow to Rooney's chances of appearing at least in the group stage of this summer's World Cup, Manchester United say they are satisfied with his period of recovery.

"A further CT scan will be performed in Manchester on June 14th to assess further his recovery and a decision will then be made as to whether he can begin to participate in football training," said the statement.

Alex Ferguson will, however, allow Rooney travel to Germany with Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad on June 5th before returning to Manchester on June 14th for the scan which will determine whether he will play any part in the tournament.

"This is very encouraging news," said England boss Sven-GoranEriksson. "The fact he is flying out to Germany with us will give everyone a huge lift."

Even if Rooney was given the all-clear to resume training immediately after the  second scan, he would have barely a week to get himself fit for a potential last 16 knockout game. This is bound to cast severe doubt on the likelihood of him taking part in the tournament at all.

United boss Alex Ferguson said: "Wayne has trained incredibly hard. We have continually supported Wayne with his fight to get to the World Cup but it is obvious that we have to be certain he is physically and mentally fit.

"The specialist has confirmed what we have always thought and we are confident in that assessment in that we are satisfied with Wayne's progress."