Wayne Rooney feels the pain. (AFP)

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Manchester - Wayne Rooney flew back to England on Wednesday with his right foot in a protective boot and will reportedly miss between two and four weeks with a twisted ankle.

The Manchester United striker was hurt in the final minute of Tuesday's 2-1 Champions League loss at Bayern Munich. He scored his 34th goal of the season in the second minute of the game at Allianz Arena.

The sight of Rooney lying on the turf in pain led to fears the England striker might be out for several months and could even miss the World Cup.

England coach Fabio Capello said the injury was terrible news.

"I think he will have a scan tomorrow," Capello said. "I'm not happy when a player from the England team is injured, it's terrible. It's not a good thing for me. I will speak to him this evening or tomorrow morning."

Sky Sports News, quoting unnamed sources, said an initial examination in Germany indicated that Rooney had only a sprain and wouldn't be sidelined longer than a month.

Rooney is extremely doubtful for Saturday's Premier League match with Chelsea at Old Trafford. The result is likely to have a major effect on the title race, with United only a point ahead of Chelsea at the top of the standings.

With Michael Owen out for the rest of the season, United would be left with Dimitar Berbatov as the team's only senior forward if Rooney, who has been in spectacular scoring form, is ruled out for a long spell.

England fans are also anxious about Rooney's fitness, with the World Cup kicking off June 11, as he is the team's most potent attacking weapon.

Rooney returned to some gloomy headlines in the papers.

"England's worst nightmare" said The Times, while the mass circulation Sun had one word: "Pray."

"Get well soon" said the Daily Mail alongside a photo of Rooney grimacing and lying on the turf in pain. "Please don't let this be the moment England's World Cup dream died."