England's miserable preparations for the impending World Cup took another depressing turn on Saturday as new injury doubts were cast over Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen and John Terry.

After Luiz Felipe Scolari declined the Football Association's offer to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson on Friday, several key players picked up knocks - with Rooney's undoubtedly the most worrying.

The Manchester United striker faces a race against time to be fit for the World Cup after being carried off with a foot injury in the 3-0 defeat by Chelsea.

United hope the injury may not be as bad as it first appeared but boss Sir Alex Ferguson says the full extent is still unknown.

Rooney left Stamford Bridge on crutches but there was no need for him to rush straight to hospital for X-rays.

He boarded the team bus for the journey back to Manchester, where a full diagnosis will be made.

Chelsea fans joined travelling supporters who stood to applaud him from the pitch and even Jose Mourinho was concerned.

The Chelsea boss said: "I was scared for him. England needs the boy and the World Cup needs the boy.

"Paulo (Ferreira) didn't touch him and the worst injuries are usually the ones without contact."

"But injuries without contact, when the foot lands in a bad position, are always dangerous. That scares me more.

"I thought it was a bad injury but someone from their club told me that there will be no problem for the World Cup and no problem for England."

Chelsea skipper Terry also needed extensive treatment after taking a kick on the shin from Rooney in the first half.

Rooney, however, is the big fear for England.

United boss Ferguson said: "We don't know the full extent. It's his foot. He got a heavy knock and we'll have to wait and see how he is when we get him back to Manchester.

"I don't want to give an opinion. He won't play on Monday. He is in the right hands with our doctors and they will look at him but hopefully it's not a bad one.

"I was concerned when he went over. You're always concerned when a player is carried off. We've had quite a few of those this season."

Mourinho played down concerns about centre-half Terry, who played most of the match in pain with a shin injury.

"Rooney's tackle on John Terry was a very nasty one but he will have 10 stitches and be ready in one week."

Owen made his much-anticipated return for Newcastle as the Magpies' 0-0 draw with Birmingham condemned the hosts to relegation but limped off at full-time following his 28-minute substitute appearance.

But Newcastle caretaker manager Glenn Roeder has played down fears that Owen may have suffered a severe recurrence of his foot injury.

It was the England international's first match since December 31 and his fitness will be assessed on Monday.

Roeder said: "The medical department will decide over the weekend what the next step will be.

"Michael is not 100% happy with his foot. But I have to emphasise he is not that concerned.

"He told me he felt some discomfort when he wheeled away after five or six minutes.

"He said it was a dull ache, that is all."

There is also cause for concern about England's left-back berth with Fulham manager Chris Coleman revealing Wayne Bridge has a hamstring problem.

Fully fit, Bridge would be an automatic choice in Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad and, with doubts remaining over Ashley Cole's fitness, could yet be the Swede's first choice left-back.

However, it appears Bridge is far from being free of pain and, while the extent of the problem is not known, it is restricting his performances.

"Wayne has a tight hamstring," said Coleman.

"It is nothing serious but he has been playing through the pain barrier, which is obviously good news for us.

"It is a bit uncomfortable for him and he is not getting into the final third as much but he is still doing a good job for us."

Right-back Gary Neville seemed to limp off at the end of United's defeat by Chelsea, though it is not thought to be a serious injury.