Manchester United FC

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Rio's back injury resurfaces

27 Dec 2008 - 11:00:46

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Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand will miss Monday's Premier League clash with Middlesbrough after suffering a back spasm in the warm-up before the 1-0 win at Stoke City.

The England international had been named in the starting line-up for the Britannia Stadium encounter but had to withdraw shortly before kick-off, with Jonny Evans coming into the team to replace him.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said after the victory: "Rio won't play against Middlesbrough.

"He had a back spasm again. We have to get to the root of this. He's had this back problem too many times, so we want to get to the bottom of it.

"First of all, we'll give him complete rest, but I think he'll be okay in about ten days."

Of his side's victory against the Potters, Ferguson added: "I've always said that if we could get to New Year's Day and be a couple of points adrift then we'd be very happy.

"We expect to kick on in the second half of the season.

"We were worried about how the trip to Japan (for the Club World Cup) was going to affect the team but we've seen today that the players' energy was good.

"I've got no complaints there. I think they've handled the travelling very well. It was a difficult game - very difficult - but sometimes you have to be patient in games like this."