Rio Ferdinand could be out of action until early September, after Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson revealed on Sunday that he was still six weeks away from full fitness.
Ferdinand injured knee ligaments in pre-World Cup training with England on June 4, but in early July United suggested he might be fit to face Newcastle in the club's opening Premier League game on August 16.
But Ferguson suggests that will be difficult, telling the club's official website: "Rio is probably around six weeks away from playing."
Manager confident Torres will stay
London: Former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish indicated on Sunday he was confident striker Fernando Torres will stay with the club despite reports suggesting the 26-year-old may move on, possibly to Chelsea. Also, with Joe Cole arriving from Chelsea the 26-year-old Spaniard would opt to stay - although coach Roy Hodgson has indicated he himself can do nothing more to persuade the player.
"When Torres sees that (Gerrard staying and Cole arriving) and talks with Roy I'm sure he'll give us good news," Dalglish told BBC radio's Sportsweek on Sunday.
{{/usCountry}}"When Torres sees that (Gerrard staying and Cole arriving) and talks with Roy I'm sure he'll give us good news," Dalglish told BBC radio's Sportsweek on Sunday.
{{/usCountry}}Cole will stay put: Chelsea
London: Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has reiterated the club have no intention of selling England left-back Ashley Cole, linked with a move to Real Madrid.
"Ashley is a Chelsea player and we want to keep him in our squad. I am sure he will be at Chelsea this season," media reports Sunday quoted Ancelotti as saying.