Coleen and Wayne Rooney’s four boys pull on the boxing gloves for a festive sparring session after getting their very own ring for Christmas

Wayne Rooney suggested his own love of boxing extends to his four children after buying them their own ring for Christmas.

Taking to Instagram, Birmingham City manager's wife Coleen shared a photo of sons Kai, 13, Klay, 10, Kit, seven, and five-year-old Cass, fully kitted out in boxing gloves and shorts, individually personalized with their names.

The four boys were pictured side by side after setting up the ring in their home gym, somewhat appropriately on Boxing Day.

Alongside the photo, Coleen, 37, wrote: 'Happy Boxing Day everyone! I'm not sure the ring was a good idea for Christmas. I hope everyone had a nice day.'

The four boys appear to be following in the footsteps of their father, whose own love for the contact sport is well documented.

Wayne Rooney suggested his love of boxing extends to his four children after buying them their own ring for Christmas (L-R: Klay, Kit, Kai and Cass Rooney)

In 2015, the former Manchester United and England striker, 38, was knocked out by ex-teammate Phil Bardsley during a sparring session at Rooney's country home in Cheshire.

With only a small space to work in Rooney's lounge, the pair exchanged light blows for just under a minute before Bardsley, then a Stoke City player, left Rooney reeling.

In video footage later obtained by The sunthe former striker is filmed lying motionless under a chair for several seconds before the clip disappears.

“Wayne worried everyone when he fell to the ground like that,” a source told the newspaper.

'He made such a thud when he fell down and he just lay on his back with his eyes closed and didn't move.

'People were afraid he had actually hit his head and done permanent damage. Everyone realized it was stupid, but they just got carried away.”

Bardsley's wife, Real Housewives Of Cheshire star Tanya Bardsley, later responded to the furor caused by the video's release, tweeting: 'Given the sun, two friends have a laugh video doesn't show Wayne jumping upright and laughing with Phil.' [sic]

The video is said to have been recorded on February 22, 2015, the day after Manchester United lost 2-1 at minnows Swansea City.

The four boys appear to be following in the footsteps of their father (pictured right with professional boxer Paul Smith), whose own love of the contact sport is well documented

Wayne with boxing legends Lennox Lewis and Amir Khan in an undated Instagram photo

Rooney wore a pair of white Adidas gloves while Bardsley donned a pink pair. They resembled sparring gloves rather than the smaller, less padded sets worn during professional fights.

Neither man had a head protector on and while Bardsley was wearing shoes, Rooney appeared to be wearing socks.

After touching the gloves, they circled each other before Bardsley threw a left hand. Rooney kicked back without connecting.

Bardsley was more aggressive throughout, trying to get at Rooney's body and push him back. The pair separated, but once again Bardsley came on strong and landed a right uppercut.

Rooney tried to respond but missed wildly before his former teammate threw the shot that sent Rooney backwards, narrowly avoiding a chair as he hit the deck.