Body shocker: Surgeons stunned by severity of Rooney's thigh wound

Manchester United star went under general anaesthetic after the length and depth of the gash he received against Fulham called for major work 

Surgeons were shocked at the horrific extent of Wayne Rooney’s gashed right thigh, it emerged last night.

Doctors at the Manchester hospital where Rooney was rushed could not believe the size and depth of the wound, caused when the studs on the right boot of Fulham’s Hugo Rodallega ripped into the striker’s skin.

  

Rooney went under general anaesthetic and required one long weaving stitch inside his leg to tie the wound, in addition to a further 10 to pull the skin together.

Rooney, 26, was kept in hospital overnight, but released yesterday morning.

He will be required to return to hospital this week for checks, so medics can ensure the wound is healing. But complications can sometimes arise through infection and United are desperate not to be without Rooney for longer than the anticipated four weeks.

  

He will miss United’s trip to Southampton next Sunday, as well as England’s first two World Cup ­qualifiers, against Moldova on September 7 and Ukraine four days later.

The extent of the injury means he is also likely to miss United’s home game against Wigan on September 15 and the away game to Liverpool eight days later.

If the recovery time is correct and there are no setbacks or complications, he could make his return against Spurs at Old ­Trafford on September 29.

But given the length of time Rooney will be out – and his lack of fitness as a result – it could be early to mid-October before he plays for United again.