EXCLUSIVE: Smalling shock for
United as fever may force defender out for three months
29 December 2011
Manchester United fear key
defender Chris Smalling could be out for three months with glandular fever. Smalling,
22, missed the Boxing Day win over Wigan with what was thought to be a heavy
cold, but the illness is more serious and he will remain on the long list of
United players currently sidelined through injury or illness.
The acute stage of glandular
fever — usually involving flu-like symptoms and fatigue — lasts up to two
weeks, but sufferers cannot do strenuous exercise for at least two months. For
a professional footballer, it will be longer.
That would be a huge setback for
Smalling and United, already without Darren Fletcher, Nemanja Vidic, Ashley
Young, Tom Cleverley, Anderson, Jonny Evans, Fabio Da Silva and Michael Owen. Former
Liverpool and Sunderland physio Mark Leather believes United’s £10million
signing from Fulham could be out for three months if his illness is confirmed
by the club.
He said: ‘You can get back into
shape in two months but it might be another three to four weeks before you’re
firing on all cylinders. The first time he would be able to play a full game
would be nearer to three months.’
Rio Ferdinand and Phil Jones
missed the win over Wigan but are expected back for Saturday’s clash with
Blackburn at Old Trafford. Jones, who moved from Ewood Park in the summer, was
in the Rovers side beaten 7-1 at Old Trafford last season.
He describes it as ‘probably the
worst day of my career’ but warned team-mates not to take Steve Kean’s side
lightly. ‘It won’t be easy,’ he said. ‘They’re a lot better than their League
position.’
No comments:
Post a Comment