SYLVAIN Legwinski has blamed the amount of games footballers now play for the rise in foot injuries.The Frenchman, who may make his first start in five months when Town go to MK Dons tonight, was talking as England striker Wayne Rooney was ruled out for two months with a hairline fracture in his right foot.

By Derek Davis

SYLVAIN Legwinski has blamed the amount of games footballers now play for the rise in foot injuries.

The Frenchman, who may make his first start in five months when Town go to MK Dons tonight, was talking as England striker Wayne Rooney was ruled out for two months with a hairline fracture in his right foot.

Legwinski is returning from a fractured metatarsal and while he accepts the type of boots players now wear could be a factor he believes too much football is the real reason.

Legwinski said: “I'm not sure if it is the boot or because of the amount of games we have to play. The pace of the game is quicker and also the number of matches played. I'm not sure which is the biggest factor, perhaps it is a combination of both.

“When we talk about Rooney you ask how many games he has played over the past couple of years and perhaps then you may find the reason why he has this fracture.

“In France we call them a fatigue fracture, possibly a stress fracture here.”

While Legwinski is hoping to play tonight, Rooney will miss a number of crucial matches including 2008 European Championship qualifiers against Israel and Russia next month, after picking up his latest foot injury in the goalless draw against Reading at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Boot manufacturers have defended their footwear and Legwinski admits he is not hugely fussy about what he plays in.

He added: “I have never really cared too much about the boot I wear. I like to wear light boots so you don't feel them.

“It is difficult to gauge why there are so many foot injuries now. When I was younger it was mainly groin injuries.”

Legwinski is one of three Town players who suffered serious foot injuries last season, with Jason De Vos fracturing a metatarsal but now back playing and Richard Naylor ruled out for three months with a cartilage problem in a big toe.