Soccer-Rooney stretchered off with foot injury

LONDON, Apr 29 (Reuters) Wayne Rooney was carried off on a stretcher during Manchester United's 3-0 Premier League defeat at Chelsea today.

The United and England striker fell heavily under a challenge from Paulo Ferreira after 78 minutes and immediately held his foot, grimacing with pain.

United manager Alex Ferguson said he did not know the full extent of the injury, although he confirmed that Rooney will not play on Monday against Middlesbrough.

''We don't know how bad it is yet,'' Ferguson told Sky Sports.

''We will have to wait to get him back to Manchester. It's a sore one and we'll just have to wait and see.'' Rooney, who left the stadium on crutches, is seen as vital to England's chances of success at the World Cup finals which start in Germany in June.

REUTERS DH PM1948