Football news - Wayne Rooney suffers ankle injury in pre-season friendly

Rooney scored 12 goals in 21 games during the 2018 campaign and will be hoping to hit the ground running when the new season starts against Atlanta United on March 3.

But the 33-year-old will now have his right ankle assessed after hobbling off in DC United's 1-0 friendly win over Bethlehem Steel.

Rooney collided with Steel's goalkeeper after just 10 minutes as he ran onto a through ball, and despite receiving treatment, the former England and Manchester United striker was replaced eight minutes later.

The club have announced that the decision to withdraw Rooney was just a precaution, with the player's importance underlined by his influence since arriving last year with DC bottom of the Eastern Conference.

Ben Olsen's side ended up finishing in fourth place and he will hope Rooney can shake off his injury in time for the season's curtain-raiser against the reigning champions.

The forward left the ground on Saturday with strapping around his right foot and an ice pack, but told American journalist Steven Goff: "I have had a few of them before."

Rooney should recover in time for the pre-season game against new MLS expansion club FC Cincinnati on Thursday.