Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
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Foster set for thumb operation

18 May 2009 - 12:29:12

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Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster will spend most of the summer recuperating after being forced to have an operation to repair a ruptured ligament in his right thumb.

The 26-year-old will be sidelined for at least nine weeks but should have recovered in time to take part in pre-season training.

"It's a big blow for Ben as he'll not only miss the Champions League Final but also England's summer internationals," United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told the club's official website.

"Ben's tried to continue the season with this injury but it got so critical that an operation was the only way forward.

"It's disappointing for him but the important thing was to get this operation done."

The 26-year-old has endured an injury-ravaged two seasons since being forced to have surgery on a cruciate knee ligament injury in June 2007.

He has started only ten games for United but did feature in 81 matches for Watford during a two-season loan spell at Vicarage Road.