Rooney set to miss out for England

England are set to open their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign in Austria and Poland without Wayne Rooney, as the teenage transfer target continues his return from injury.

Rooney, the subject of a bidding war between Newcastle and Manchester United before Tuesday's transfer deadline, is still recovering from breaking a bone in his foot during England's Euro 2004 quarter-final exit to Portugal.

England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will announce his squad on Sunday night for the Group Six qualifiers against Austria on September 4 and Poland four days later.

Rooney did not play in Everton's 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday and the 18-year-old striker, who lit up Euro 2004, is unlikely to appear in Monday's game at Manchester United.

Speaking before the weekend, Eriksson made it clear he would not pick a player who had not played at club level this season.

"I don't think it's fair on him or on Everton," said the Swede. "He hasn't played since Portugal. I'm not sure I want to take the risk of him starting for England and maybe getting injured again. It's not a very good idea."

As for the transfer battle, Eriksson said: "The important thing for Wayne Rooney is that he plays football. If he plays for Everton, Newcastle or Manchester United or whoever doesn't matter."

ENGLAND SQUAD

Eriksson said his squad would be "more or less the same" as the one picked for this month's 3-1 friendly win over Ukraine, aside from the likely inclusion of fit-again midfielder Joe Cole.

The Swede indicated, though, that Cole has to establish himself in Chelsea's first team if he is to stand a chance of doing the same at international level.

"It's important for him at club level for him to find a role. I'd be very happy to see him play in the same position for a number of games, which he's almost never done. It makes it difficult for me."

Eriksson expects Michael Owen to cope with competition from Ronaldo, Raul and Fernando Morientes at Real Madrid following the England striker's move from Liverpool earlier this month.

"I'm not worried today -- I would be worried if a month goes by and he's never played," Eriksson said.

"That would be bad for him and bad for us. But I don't think they bought Michael Owen just to have him on the bench."

Eriksson will be without central defenders Sol Campbell and Jonathan Woodgate through injury, along with Rio Ferdinand through suspension, for the games in Vienna and Chorzow.