• Premier League

Cleverley won't return before Xmas

ESPN staff
November 18, 2011
Tom Cleverley started the season impressively before succumbing to injury © Getty Images
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Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley has been ruled out until Christmas with an ankle ligament injury.

The 22-year-old picked up the knock during last month's 1-0 victory at Everton, and the initial diagnosis suggested he would make a rapid return to action. However, tests have shown that the problem is worse than first feared.

Cleverley has already missed several weeks of action this season, having damaged his foot in the 5-0 victory at Bolton Wanderers in September.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "It is pretty long term. [He will be out until] Christmas time. It is unfortunate. It is worse than we thought. When he first came off against Everton he reported it as just a tightness, with a bit of pain. We have done scans again and the injury has recurred. We will have to give him a break."

Having impressed on loan at Wigan last season, Cleverley took his chance to shine in the early weeks of this campaign, stepping into the breach vacated by Paul Scholes' retirement.

He has made five league starts for United this season, and was rewarded for his form with an England call-up during August.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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