This setback is the third time that Rooney’s fabled feet have fallen victim to the rigours of top level football. He limped out of Euro 2004 after fracturing a metatarsal in his right foot and missed the first three months of the following season. In 2006, he suffered a similar injury just six weeks before the start of the World Cup.

More metatarsal misery

Metatarsal first became a household term back in April 2002 when David Beckham broke the dreaded bone thanks to a hefty challenge by Argentinian Aldo Duscher in a Champions League game. As with Rooney, the injury threatened his participation in the World Cup and ultimately prevented him from realising his best form.

Spookily, the same injury has affected many of England’s top stars over the past five years. Becks’ best mate Gary Neville followed suit almost immediately and missed World Cup 2002. Midfielders Scott Parker, Steven Gerrard and Danny Murphy, as well as first choice England left back Ashley Cole, were all sidelined by metatarsal misery. In December 2005, Michael Owen joined the club following a collision with fellow England star Paul Robinson in a Newcastle vs Spurs clash. Five months later, defensive lynchpin Ledley King became the 9th England player to suffer the injury after damaging the bone in a match against Everton.

But it’s not just England’s top football stars that have fallen victim to the metatarsal curse. Barcelona’s Argentinian prodigy Lionel Messi missed several crucial months of the last season thanks to the injury while Everton’s Aussie midfielder Tim Cahill is still recovering after breaking the dreaded bone in a pre-season friendly. Away from football, England winger David Strettle is certain to miss the Rugby World Cup after he broke a metatarsal in training.