Bolton boss Owen Coyle is keeping his fingers crossed that rumours of Wayne Rooney's knee injury have not been exaggerated - for this weekend only.

It has been suggested that Manchester United's 33-goal striker, with 17 of those coming in his last 12 matches, will be rested for the short trip to the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

With United at Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday and at home to Chelsea in a title showdown at Old Trafford the following Saturday, manager Sir Alex Ferguson may prefer to keep Rooney fresh.

If so, it will be music to Coyle's ears.

"If you're asking me whether I am glad Wayne Rooney might not be in the team, then of course I am. I'd rather not face him," Coyle said.

"Along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi he's one of the top three players in the whole world at the moment.

"So any manager would be glad of the chance not to face him, if indeed that proves to be the case.

"But United have a team full of quality international players, so we know we'll have to be at our very best, no matter what happens."

Coyle, though, is still hoping the 24-year-old goes on to prove himself on the biggest stage of all in this summer's World Cup in South Africa.

"England are very fortunate to have someone of Wayne's stature and I'm sure he will go on to do very well in the World Cup," Coyle told the Bolton News.

"He has been in terrific form this season, so if he can take that into the summer then I am sure he will do an excellent job for his country."