• Premier League

Fellaini to delay surgery on wrist

Marouane Fellaini will wear a splint to protect the ligaments in his wrist © AP

Enlarge

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini will delay having surgery on his wrist until the end of the year, according to the Belgium national team's doctor.

Fellaini will play his country's final two World Cup qualifiers over the next week wearing a splint to protect the ligaments damaged during the 1-1 draw at Shakhtar Donetsk last week. The injury ruled him out of the 2-1 win at Sunderland at the weekend, but the 25-year-old is now expected to play through the pain for the next two months or so.

"In accordance with the [Manchester United] club doctor, Marouane Fellaini will have surgery in December-January, unless he is ruled out from playing beforehand anyway due to a suspension," Belgium doctor Kris van Crombrugge said, according to The Guardian.

"After surgery we believe he will only need one or a maximum of two weeks to recover. After that he can resume playing by using a brace. The surgery is not urgent, hence the delay."

Although an exact date for the operation is yet to be announced, United manager David Moyes may aim to schedule the surgery so that they will have their £27.5 million pound summer signing available for key winter fixtures.

The Premier League champions travel to Tottenham on December 1 and host Fellaini and Moyes's former club Everton four days later before the visit of Shakhtar for their final Champions League group fixture on December 10. Spurs then visit Old Trafford on New Year's Day, while United are slated to travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on January 18.

Download ESPN's new UK sport app, a fresh and powerful new way to follow your favourite UK sports news, scores and video.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd