Wayne Rooney uses injury time out to offer support Smith brothers

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Three Smith brothers are all fighting for titles in the coming months
England captain Wayne Rooney is out with a minor hamstring injury
As Manchester United lost at PSV Eindhoven, he visited gym in Bolton

Published: 05:01 EST, 16 September 2015 | Updated: 05:50 EST, 16 September 2015

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Injured Wayne Rooney paid a visit to Liverpool boxing's famous Smith brothers at Amir Khan's gym on Tuesday in a show of support ahead of their upcoming fights.

Rooney, who picked up a hamstring problem in training ahead of United 2-1 win over Liverpool at the weekend, was left at home as Manchester United squandered the lead at PSV Eindhoven to go down 2-1 in their Champions League opener.

With some time on his hands he made the short journey to Bolton's Gloves Community Centre, base for the Amir Khan Academy, where Stephen, Callum and Liam Smith are preparing with coach Paul Gallagher for major fights in the coming months.

Wayne Rooney visits Amir Khan's gym where three Smith brothers are preparing for title fights: (from left) Callum Smith, Khan, Stephen Smith, Paul Smith, Rooney and trainer Paul Gallagher

While Rooney was in Bolton, Manchester United were beaten 2-1 at PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League

'Nice to have @waynerooney at the Amir Khan Academy today to support the Smith brothers whilst training,' Khan posted on Instagram.

Rooney is a noted boxing fan, but perhaps his most high-profile association came when a video was leaked of his hitting the floor while fighting former team-mate Phil Bardsley in his kitchen - while some reports said it got out of hand, others say they were just playing.

As for the Smith brothers, Stephen is first in the ring on Saturday when he takes on Devis Boschiero in an IBF world super-featherweight final eliminator live on Sky Sports at the Liverpool Olympia.

The 30-year-old has called the fight 'my only chance at a world title shot' with a win against the Italian putting him in the box seat to have a stab at Puerto Rican Jose Pedraza's title belt, should he defend it on October 3 against Edner Cherry.

Liam, 27, will be up next on October 10 as one of the top-billed fights on October 10 at the Manchester Arena. Beefy's bout against American John Thompson for the vacant WBO light-middleweight title has been upped in profile after the second postponement of Andy Lee's defence of the WBO middleweight title against Billy Joe Saunders.

He was delighted to have been visited by the England captain, posting to his fans: 'Great to have @WayneRooney in the gym today, supporting me towards my world title. Thanks mate.'

Liam 'Beefy' Smith poses with Rooney at the Gloves Community Centre, base for the Amir Khan Academy

In a third big fight for the brothers in as many months, younger brother Callum takes on fellow Merseysider Rocky Fielding in an evenly matched stoush for the vacant British super-middleweight title on November 7.

Callum is 17-0 and Fielding is 21-0, a situation that makes promoter Eddie Hearn salivate, with the Sportsmail columnist saying it will decide 'who is the real deal.'

While firmly in the Smith camp for their fights, Khan continues to wait for his next chance at glory.

With Floyd Mayweather retiring after his unconvincing 49th career win over Andre Berto in a unanimous points decision and a proposed clash in the Middle East with Manny Pacquiao on ice, a blockbuster all-England clash with Kell Brook at Wembley in 2016 appears most likely.