Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to battle England over Wayne Rooney's availability.

Rooney, 23, faces another two to three weeks out after suffering a hamstring strain in United's win over Wigan on January 14.

The United boss believes the trip to West Ham on February 8 is his striker's earliest possible comeback. But with England set to play a friendly against Spain in Seville on February 11, Capello will be without Rooney if he fails to return at Upton Park.

Ferguson said: "Rooney's never had a hamstring injury before, so you have to be cautious about the way you deal with that."