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WAYNE ROONEY will miss the first THREE matches of Euro 2012, UEFA have confirmed. The England striker was sent off against Montenegro on Friday for kicking out at Miodrag Dzudovic. His suspension can only be completed in competitive matches so it will carry over into the tournament next summer. And that means Rooney, 25, will be banned for the ENTIRE group stage in Poland and Ukraine. UEFA's rule book calls for three-game bans in cases judged to be assault, rather than the mandatory one-match ban for receiving a red card. A statement from European football's governing body said: "The striker will now be suspended from playing in his country's next three UEFA national competition matches for which he would be eligible." The ruling leaves Three Lions boss Fabio Capello with a selection headache for the Euros. The Italian has already admitted he will not pick Rooney for the warm-up matches so he can work on a figuring out alternative solutions in his absence. Capello has plenty of options with Aston Villa striker Darren Bent scoring four times in his last five England matches. Bobby Zamora and Andy Carroll can offer more physical threats while youngsters Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge have impressed in the Premier League. Speedsters Jermain Defoe and Gabriel Agbonlahor also look to be returning to top form for their clubs. And Peter Crouch, who has 22 goals in 42 internationals, is getting regular football again after his summer switch to Stoke. England also have a threat from midfield with Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard regular scorers at international level. Wingers Ashley Young and Adam Johnson have also chipped in with key goals in recent matches too. The FA are set to launch an appeal of UEFA's decision to ban Rooney for three matches within the next three days. A statement from English football's governing body said: "Further to UEFA's decision to impose a three-match suspension on Wayne Rooney following his sending off against Montenegro, the FA await the full reasons from the disciplinary committee, and will give full consideration to the decision internally, before deciding on any response to UEFA or making any further public comment." A host of leading names from the world of football took to Twitter to blast UEFA's decision. Everton captain and former England defender Phil Neville said: "Rooney banned for 3 games what a joke - if it was a Dutch, Spanish, Italian or German player they wouldn't even get 1 game. #fact" Manchester United striker Michael Owen added: "Disappointing news regarding Wayne Rooney. Missing 3 games on such a big stage seems a bit harsh." And former Wales international Robbie Savage blasted: "Rooney 3 game ban "joke" !! Doesn't deserve it!"