Manchester United FC

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• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

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Fresh Foster blow for United

19 Sep 2008 - 14:41:10

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Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster will be out of action for up to eight weeks following an assessment of his latest injury setback.

The 25-year-old England international limped out of a reserve team game with Blackburn Rovers on Thursday evening with an ankle problem.

Foster, who missed the majority of last year following cruciate ligament surgery and started the current campaign on the sidelines with a knee problem, was expected to challenge Edwin van der Sar for the number one jersey this season.

But the former Stoke City youngster now faces another frustrating spell on the sidelines after scans confirmed the extent of his latest blow.

"The lad's not getting any luck at all at the moment," conceded United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

"He came down on his ankle in the reserve game last night and he'll be out for six to eight weeks. It's ligament damage.

"He was coming on fantastically well. He was training really well. I made him substitute on Wednesday (against Villarreal) as an indication of his return to fitness.

"He's a top goalkeeper. I just hope he gets a little break now, get over this one and hopefully he won't get any more unfortunate injuries.

"This is nothing to do with his previous injury of course, where he had a cruciate knee injury, it's just bad luck."