Rooney posts picture of head injury

England forward Wayne Rooney has posted a picture online of the head injury that has ruled him out of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, along with a message to those questioning his withdrawal from Roy Hodgson's squad.

The 27-year-old missed Manchester United's 1-0 defeat at Liverpool on Sunday after manager David Moyes had confirmed he has suffered a severe gash on his head following an accidental collision with team-mate Phil Jones in training.

Moyes also stated his belief that Rooney would not be recovered in time to join up with his England colleagues ahead of the qualifying double-header against Moldova and Ukraine.

Rooney posted a picture of his injury on his official Facebook page on Wednesday evening with a comment defending his decision to withdraw from the crucial fixtures.

"Some people seem to be questioning my commitment to the England squad and the fact I had to pull out of the 2 games," he wrote.

"There's nothing I would like more than to be helping the lads in the qualifiers. I'm sure people will see from these images the reason why I won't be able to play."

England team-mate Theo Walcott had described the wound as "like something out of a horror film''.

England go into the clashes with Moldova and Ukraine currently two points behind group-leaders Montenegro but with a game in hand.

Rooney, the subject of bids from Chelsea in the transfer window after announcing his desire to leave Old Trafford, remained a United player when the window closed.

But the injury means Rooney, who has scored 36 goals in 84 England caps, will be missing for up to a month with the onus on goals in the qualifiers falling on the likes of team-mate Danny Welbeck and Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge.