Everton’s Wayne Rooney has withdrawn from the England squad to face South Africa.

Rooney suffered a knee injury in Everton’s last game of the season against Manchester United.

“Wayne Rooney has had to withdraw from England’s squad for the game against South Africa,” the Football Association (FA) said in a statement on Sunday.

Rooney, 17, was examined jointly by England and Everton medical staff on Sunday as the squad prepared to fly out to South Africa. In an unprecedented move, Everton boss David Moyes also attended the examination.

Rooney will be available to join the training camp in La Manga, Spain, ahead of the friendly with Serbia and Montenegro and the Euro 2004 qualifier with Slovakia.

A neck injury has also forced Danny Murphy to withdraw from Eriksson’s squad. The Liverpool midfielder will be unavailable for the two friendly matches and the EURO 2004 qualifier against Slovakia.