Nani on the mend
Nani has an outside chance of making next weekend’s Barclays Premier League clash with Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford after the winger was finally able to have the gash sustained in a wild lung from Jamie Carragher at Anfield stitched up.
The open wound could not be treated immediately due to swelling, but having returned to hospital this week the 25-year-old Portuguese to have stitches. However, the danger remains that the wound could become infected, meaning he has to be treated and checked every day.
“We’ve managed to stitch [the wound],” explained the boss at his pre-match press conference. “What we’re guarding against now is infection. The swelling has gone down a great deal which is good news.”
There remains no clear return date as yet, but Nani will play no part in Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal, nor in Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 second leg tie with Marseille.
“To give you a date as to when he’s coming back is difficult,” added Sir Alex. “On the plus side we have a two-week international break after next Saturday which he will be ready for the return from that. But whether we can get him fit for the Bolton match is difficult to say.”
The imminent return of Antonio Valencia, out since September with a broken ankle and damaged ligaments, might have been the perfect tonic to Nani’s absence, but Sir Alex will not risk plunging the Ecuador winger in at the deep end out of desperation.
“[With Valencia] that’s a more difficult one to assess because of the fact that he’s been out for such a long time,” the boss said. “He’s been training very well and he has had a few practice matches.
“It’s deciding when we can put him into the cut and thrust of a real game because being out for such a long time creates a question mark. At some point we’re going to have to try it – it won’t be against Arsenal – but hopefully it’s soon.”
United are also currently without another winger, Ji-sung Park, who suffered a hamstring injury in training last month.
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2011/Mar/Nani-and-Valencia-on-the-mend.aspx
