Wayne Rooney could be out for three weeks after suffering a knee injury.
The Manchester United striker, 27, may miss four games, including an FA Cup tie against West Ham.
“Wayne tried a volley in training and damaged a knee ligament – he’ll be out for two to three weeks,” United manager Sir Alex Ferguson told BBC Sport.
Rooney, who has scored seven goals in the league this season, was replaced by Javier Hernandez in United’s 4-3 win over Newcastle.
He produced a disappointing performance against Swansea at the weekend and Ferguson had expected him to bounce back against the Magpies.
“After his performance on Sunday I think he would have been brilliant today. You don’t have two performances like he did on Sunday,” added the Scot, who turns 71 on New Year’s Eve. “Unfortunately we couldn’t risk him.”
If Rooney is out for the full period then he will miss the matches against West Brom on Saturday, Wigan on New Year’s Day, the FA Cup tie against West Ham on 5 January and the clash against fierce rivals Liverpool on 13 January.
He was out for a month earlier this season after suffering a gash to his right leg.
Meanwhile, forward Danny Welbeck and winger Ashley Young also missed the Boxing Day match at Old Trafford.
“Welbeck was taken ill in the team hotel last night,” Ferguson said. “Ashley Young also got injured yesterday and Phil Jones got injured against Swansea.
“Young should be OK for Saturday [against West Brom].”
Ferguson explained why, having made his first start since September at the Liberty Stadium, captain Nemanja Vidic was on the bench against Newcastle.
“We couldn’t risk Vida after playing his first game,” he said.
“He had a bit of soreness in his knee, which is only to be expected after being out for so long.”
–BBC
