I KNOW just how Wayne Rooney is feeling right now because I have suffered the exact same injury.

Sure, there wasn't a World Cup place up for grabs for me but, just like Rooney, I fractured my fifth metatarsal - only in my day it was known as your little toe!

It happened during pre-season training at Gawthorpe back in 2001 when Steve Davis accidentally trod on my foot... and it hurt like hell.

While I was back playing within six weeks, it took me a lot longer to fully recover so I'm just hoping Wayne can make it to Germany.

The injury itself heals pretty quickly but it is the twisting and turning, not to mention the tackles, that take a lot longer to cope with.

Like every England fan, I am hoping Wayne goes to the finals and if he can do what I did on my return, I'll be made up I scored a hat-trick!

I missed the opening game of the season against Bolton Wanderers but was given a second half run-out against Hartlepool in a midweek match and bagged a treble.

I've since been told I am the only Burnley player to have come off the bench and score a second half hat-trick.

However, it wasn't good enough for me to start against Wolves in the next game and, to be honest, it was a few months before I was really fully fit.

That is my fear with Wayne.

He may well go to Germany but we won't see him at his best.

Just remember David Beckham four years ago. He leapt out of the way of a challenge against Brazil and they went and scored. The rest, as they say, is history.

But it is a risk worth taking because Wayne is the best we have got although I don't think it is all doom and gloom.

We have one of the strongest midfields in the world and in Steve Gerrard and Frank Lampard, two players who know how to score goals.

And don't forget Michael Owen who thrives on the big games.

If Rooney doesn't go then I would take Jermain Defoe, although I would have had him in the squad ahead of Theo Walcott in the first place. Walcott is one for the future while Defoe is an experienced Premiership player who has played at the highest level.

Taking Walcott is probably a bigger risk that taking Rooney.