Source: Daily_Mail
United's midfielder general Darren Fletcher plays on with broken bone
Manchester United linchpin Darren Fletcher is one bad tackle away from ankle surgery, it has emerged.[LNB] The Scotland international is recognised as United's most importantmidfielder and returned to action after an injury lay-off as his teamdrew 3-3 with CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford on Tuesday.[LNB] Influential: United midfielder Darren Fletcher[LNB] Fletcher now has his sights on Sunday's titanic clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but revealed he is playing with a damaged ankle that will eventually need an operation.[LNB] The 25-year-old is hoping that injections and careful management will get him through the season but it is clear that the problem is making him vulnerable.[LNB] Fletcher said last night: 'I injured my ankle in the Sunderland game last month. A bit of bone has broken off the back of my ankle and is stuck, so every time I bend it is causing a bit of pain.[LNB] 'I have had an injection to clear it up but eventually it is going to need to be cleaned out. There has been a build-up of fluid as well. I will have to get something done but the injection will see me through a few months.[LNB] 'It should be OK to the end of the season. That is the plan - to get me through to the summer.[LNB] 'Striking a ball or bending the ankle in a flexed position or pushing off hurts. It got to the point where it was too sore to train and play so something had to be done and I had the injection.'[LNB] Reason to smile: Sir Alex Ferguson hopes to have Dimitar Berbatov back for Chelsea clash[LNB] United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hopes to have defender Nemanja Vidic back for Sunday's game as well as striker Dimitar Berbatov and winger Ryan Giggs.[LNB] It appears unlikely that Rio Ferdinand will be back to play on his 31st birthday, though, after team-mate Wes Brown revealed the defender has a back problem.[LNB] Brown said: 'Rio has been injured for a very long time and he's been getting a lot of pain in his back. When he comes back I'm sure he'll be a lot stronger. If you are not fully fit and you try and play it's very hard.'[LNB] One defender who will face Chelsea is left back Patrice Evra, who has a controversial history against the club. The Frenchman was charged by the FA for fighting with Chelsea groundstaff after a game two seasons ago and was flattened off the ball by Michael Ballack in the build-up to the London club's goal in the Community Shield in August.[LNB] Evra said: 'When I play against Chelsea something bad always happens. There was the trouble after one game and then this season there was the incident with Ballack. I have to make sure this time that nothing happens.' [LNB] GRAHAM POLL: Branding Darren Fletcher a cheat was a terrible slur on an honest guyCarlton Cole and Emile Heskey injuries open door to Michael Owen for England [LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People:Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Patrice Evra, Dimitar Berbatov, Alex Ferguson, Darren Fletcher, WES BROWN, Nemanja Vidic, Michael BallackPlaces:Scotland
