HE may not have to give up playing for the World Cup but young George Watson will still have to miss a football tournament after breaking the same bone in his foot as Wayne Rooney.

HE may not have to give up playing for the World Cup but young George Watson will still have to miss a football tournament after breaking the same bone in his foot as Wayne Rooney.

His injury came less than 24 hours after England's World Cup hopes were dashed when Manchester United star Wayne Rooney broke the fourth metatarsal bone in his foot.

For George the injury may not have been as high profile as his idol Rooney but he said the pain was the most he had ever felt.

But it came as some comfort to the 12-year-old Manchester United supporter that his idol Rooney had just done the very same thing.

George of Baronsdale Close, Ipswich, had been playing football at the Castle Hill Park on Sunday when the accident happened.

He said: “There was a little dip in the ground and my foot got stuck in it.

“There was a cracking sound and it was the most painful thing I have ever felt.

“I had to go to Ipswich Hospital and wait around for a long time and felt pretty miserable about the whole thing.

“But I thought it was great when I heard it was the exact injury that happened to Rooney the day before.

“I am a big Man U fan and now I know what he is going through.”

George, who has been a fan of the northern club for seven years, plays for the Achilles Under 12s Club, which meets at Sprites Primary School.

The football season may have finished but the youngster will have to miss out on a tournament he was supposed to be playing for the team in a couple of weeks.

George's mum, Jane Watson, said: “As a mother you always worry about your child when you hear they have hurt themselves.

“But I thought he was mad to be so pleased that he broke the same bone as Wayne Rooney.

“He will be off his feet for a few weeks as yet but says he doesn't mind if it means he can watch the World Cup games.”

Have you had a similar week as your idol? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

METATARSAL factfile

There are five metatarsal bones in each foot

Located in the forefoot they are the long bones that roughly cover the area just in front of the ankle down to the toes.

It is the part of the foot that footballers strike the ball with and as a result the area is prone to injury, although sometimes a fracture can occur without contact if someone goes over badly on their ankle.

Treatment and healing can take from six to 12 weeks, depending on the constitution and diet of the individual and the position and shape of the fracture.

Source: www.physioroom.com/news

ARE you planning on travelling to Germany to cheer on the England football team in its quest for World Cup glory next month?

If the answer is yes The Evening Star wants to hear from you.

We are looking to team up with fans visiting Germany during the big tournament to create a running diary of the highs and lows of the campaign.

Anyone going to the tournament or with a World Cup story can contact reporter Neil Puffett at The Evening Star on 01473 324796.