Small headache
Published: Today at 13:57
CHRIS SMALLING is out for 10 weeks with a broken metatarsal.
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The Manchester United defender has just recovered from the thigh injury that kept him out of England's Euro 2012 bid.
And his foot problem leaves boss Alex Ferguson reeling as United's squad is short of proven centre-backs.
Ferguson said: "He got an injury on the Wednesday and, straight away, we decided to have the operation, so he is out.
"It's difficult to say with a metatarsal but it could be 10 weeks.
"He's not carrying any luck, the kid, but he's young and we have done the right thing in getting it done immediately and getting him back on the road as quickly as we can."
Versatile Smalling, 22, had been back training at the club's Carrington HQ.
So today's blow means Fergie might have to splash out to cover for Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Phil Jones.
Smalling is likely to miss United's first six Premier League games and their Champions League opener - as well as England's next three matches.
Three Lions chief Roy Hodgson - a big fan of Smalling - could then be reluctant to pick him for the World Cup qualifiers in October with San Marino and Poland.
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