Wayne Rooney is hoping to be back against Everton on April 3

Wayne Rooney does not expect to be sidelined 'too long' after the international break and is confident he will be at his best for Euro 2016.

Rooney has missed Manchester United's last eight games with a knee ligament injury he suffered against Sunderland, and media reports last week suggested he could even miss this summer's tournament in France.

The 30-year-old will not be ready for England's forthcoming friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands, but could be back in time for United's Premier League clash with former club Everton on April 3 and hopes that will be enough time to prepare for a long summer.

"I don't know for definite but it could be after the international break, obviously I will miss the England games, but it shouldn't be too long after that.

"It is not too bad. We are being a bit cautious. It is a difficult one to try and push. If I try and push and be involved now it could cause more damage. So we are being cautious. After the international break is a more realistic target.

The England captain and record goalscorer is confident he will be close to 100 per cent in time for Euro 2016 this summer

"I am hoping if I am back when I am expected to be back, depending on the two cups we are still in, then there could be 10 games left for United plus the England friendly games so I don't think that [lack of preparation] would be a worry."

Rooney says his absence has been predictably frustrating, but he agrees with the club's decision to make him take a break from his rehab in case of a return of the problem.

Rooney admits his absence with a knee injury has been frustrating

"There was a time when I couldn't do anything. [Louis van Gaal], myself and the doctor thought it was better that I went away and that could only do me good in the up and coming weeks," he added.

"It has been eight games now I have missed and I didn't realise it was that many. It has been frustrating.

Former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson says the Manchester derby at the weekend is crucial if they want to finish in the top four

"I have tried to be involved, I have spoken to the players a lot. I know it is not the same as being out there on the pitch and being involved on match day and having an influence but I have tried to help out.

"The youngsters have done great. With young players you never know but hopefully they will have a bright future at this club."

Gossip column: Hazard, Conte, Rodriguez, Toure, Wenger, Costa

Real Madrid could offer Chelsea a swap deal to sign Eden Hazard, 25, in exchange for Colombia international James Rodriguez, 24. (Sun)

Yaya Toure, who is 33 in May, wants to stay in the Premier League even if he is sold by Manchester City at the end of the season. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United are monitoring 18-year-old Rennes striker Ousmane Dembele but face competition from Europe's top clubs to land the £27m-rated forward, who has scored nine goals this season. (Daily Mail)

Antonio Conte could be cleared to take over at Chelsea, with his exit as Italy manager after Euro 2016 to be discussed at a board meeting this week. (Daily Mail)

Former Chile boss Jorge Sampaoli has said he was Chelsea's first choice to take over as permanent manager next season. (Radio Vorterix via London Evening Standard)

Arsene Wenger has still got the full backing of the Arsenal board - and will get to decide when the time is right for him to leave. (Daily Mirror)

Diego Costa is considering his future at Chelsea following his first dismissal in English football in the FA Cup defeat at Everton last weekend. (Daily Star)

Manchester City manager-elect Pep Guardiola is thought to have asked friends to find out if Jose Mourinho will be taking charge at Manchester United next season. (Sun)

Wayne Rooney has allayed fears over his recovery from a knee injury and says he will be fully fit to lead England's bid to succeed at the finals of Euro 2016. (Daily Telegraph)

Tuesday's daily Telegraph sports supplement

Former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage says Arsenal should move for Southampton boss Ronald Koeman if Arsene Wenger departs.(BBC Radio 5 live)

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira believes the club's fans have gone "too far" in their criticism of beleaguered boss Wenger.(Talksport)

Radamel Falcao has described his unsuccessful spell at Manchester United under Louis van Gaal as "complicated". (El Tiempo via Daily Express)

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic says 5ft 7ins Texan teenager Emerson Hyndman is being protected from the club's relegation battle for his own good. (GetWestLondon)

Out-of-favour winger Jordan Botaka has been offered hope of another chance before the end of the season after convincing manager Steve Evans that Leeds "have a player here".(Yorkshire Post)

Swansea assistant manager Alan Curtis believes Modou Barrow will have the stamina to play a central role in the club's survival push.(South Wales Evening Post)

Martin Atkinson will referee Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby at St James' Park, his third time in charge of a Newcastle-Sunderland fixture, having previously officiated two 1-1 draws at the Stadium of Light. (Newcastle Chronicle)

Best of social media

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard proudly displays his body art and writes: "Who needs the locks when you've got your tattoos."

Howard values his tattoos more than his hairline

Former Leicester favourite Gary Lineker revels in the victory over Newcastle and writes of Shinji Okazaki's acrobatic winner: "Get In! Sensational overhead kick from Okazaki."

The Match of the Day host and former England captain later wrote in the closing stages of the tense 1-0 victory for the Foxes: "Never, ever got nervous playing, taking penalties, anything, but watching this...."

Manchester United's Bastian Schweinsteiger reflects on Sunday's 1-1 FA Cup draw with West Ham and writes: "We wanted the win yesterday, it's up to us in the replay. Thanks for the warm welcome, back at OT felt great!"

Tottenham hitman Harry Kane relaxes in his swimming pool on a well-earned day off having scored twice to give Spurs a 2-0 victory at Aston Villa on Sunday to enhance their title challenge.

Harry Kane's dog enjoys spending time with his master

Kane's Tottenham team-mate Kyle Walker, who had a spell at Aston Villa, thanks their fans following Sunday's 2-0 victory for Spurs at Villa Park and writes: "Another solid win yesterday, H keeps banging in the goals! Thanks to the Villa fans for the nice welcome back."

And finally

Arsenal may have gone out of the FA Cup and seen their title challenge falter but majority shareholder Stan Kroenke has been nominated for a sports executive of the year award in America. (London Evening Standard)

FA Cup: Everton to face Man Utd or West Ham in semi-finals

Everton will face either Manchester United or West Ham in the FA Cup semi-finals, while Crystal Palace will take on Watford.

The ties will be played on the weekend of April 23-24 at Wembley.

Manchester United will travel to Upton Park for a quarter-final replay after the sides drew 1-1 at Old Trafford.

The date of that last-eight replay will be announced after the second leg of United's Europa League last-16 tie against Liverpool on Thursday.

Everton beat Chelsea 2-0 on Saturday to reach the last four for the first time since 2012.

The other semi-final is a repeat of the 2013 Championship play-off final, which Palace won thanks to a Kevin Phillips penalty.

Watford, who knocked out holders Arsenal on Sunday, will attempt to reach the final for the first time since 1984, while Palace are through to their first FA Cup semi-final in 21 years.

Man Utd and Marouane Fellaini avoid Uefa action

Manchester United will not be punished by Uefa after some of their fans sang offensive Hillsborough disaster chants in a Europa League defeat at Liverpool.

United's Marouane Fellaini has also escaped sanction for an alleged elbow on Emre Can in the final moments.

Uefa decided to take no action as neither incident was mentioned in the match officials' report.

Liverpool won the first leg of their last-16 tie 2-0 at Anfield and the return takes place on Thursday.

Officials are set to pay closer attention to chants at Old Trafford.

United have said such chants "have no place in the game".

Ninety-six Liverpool fans died in an FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough between the Reds and Nottingham Forest in 1989.

The Old Trafford club have previously been subject to offensive chants themselves concerning the 1958 Munich air disaster, in which eight players and three club officials were among 23 people who lost their lives in a crash following a European Cup tie.

Former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton told BBC Radio 5 live the chants at Anfield last Thursday were "dreadful", while ex-Manchester United striker Dion Dublin called them "disgusting".

A story in the Sun newspaper four days after the Hillsborough disaster criticised the behaviour of Liverpool fans at the game. The newspaper is still widely boycotted in Merseyside as a result.

"There were chants during the first half - 'the Sun was right', referring to the Hillsborough tragedy," said BBC Sport's Juliette Ferrington, who was at Anfield.

"It wasn't continuous but it was clearly audible, maybe four or five times. It kind of got drowned out. The noise at the game was deafening."