STAM INJURY PROMPTS RE-THINK

With a recovery period of arounds three months, The Red Devils could be without their influential defender over the crucial Christmas campaign.

The 28-year-old had originally planned to have his operation in November, when the first phase of the Champions League was over, but now this seems to be unlikely.

The Dutch international has been struggling with the injury for 18 months and an operation seems to be the only way to cure Stam of the problem, as currently he is finding it difficult to last the full 90 minutes of a game.

Stam said: "I'm training but the Achilles continues to feel sore.

"After a warm-up it settles down, but when I take long strides it is painful and stiff."

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson had said that the time between December and March would be the best to get Stam fit.

Ferguson said: "During that period, from December to March, it's a good time to do anything like that. He would probably be out for six or seven weeks. If we get through the first phase of the Champions League we will consider it."