LONDON: Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa has been ruled out for up to four weeks with a knee injury, manager Alex Ferguson said on Friday.
The Japanese international was substituted at halftime of United’s 3-2 victory over Braga in the Champions League on Tuesday.
“Shinji Kagawa is going to be out for three to four weeks,” Ferguson told reporters.
“It’s a knee injury similar to the one (winger) Ashley Young had but not as bad.
“I think playing on with the injury did not help the situation for him, even though he did well to play on with it. It’s disappointing for him.”
The injury means Kagawa will be unavailable for Japan’s World Cup qualifier away at Oman on November 14.
Meanwhile, defenders Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are nearing a first team return after missing the start of the season through injury.
“Smalling is back training on the football side of things,” Ferguson added.
“Phil Jones will hopefully start full training a week on Monday, so things are getting better on that front.
“Certainly getting Smalling back is a big bonus for us. Other than that, everyone else is available for Sunday’s game (at Chelsea).”
Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard will be out for a “few weeks” with a calf injury, manager Roberto Di Matteo said on Friday.
The England international, who was forced off after 18 minutes in Chelsea’s Champions League defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, will miss Sunday’s top-of-the-table Premier League showdown with Man United and the League Cup clash between the teams on Wednesday.
“Frank is going to be out for a few weeks. He’s got a calf problem, so we will miss him and it’s a big loss for us,” Di Matteo told reporters ahead of the Stamford Bridge encounter.
Arsenal could see Jack Wilshere return to first team action after more than 14 months out injured as the Gunners look to get back to winning ways in Saturday’s home clash against Queens Park Rangers after successive defeats.
“Wilshere I have to consider. We’ll make a decision tomorrow, if I put him in the squad or not. That’s basically it,” manager Arsene Wenger said on the club website.
Wilshere was an unused substitute when Arsenal lost 1-0 at Norwich City in the Premier League last weekend but was not in the squad for the tame 2-0 reverse at home to Schalke 04 in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina could return for the game at Everton on Sunday after starting to train again following a hamstring injury, manager Brendan Rodgers said on Friday.
“Pepe is back in training,” Rodgers told reporters. “So that’s good news. He’s working well and we’ll assess him over the next 24/48 hours.” (Reuters)