Manchester United's Fletcher desperate to avoid surgery
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Darren Fletcher is hoping a pain-easing injection will delay the need for ankle surgery until next summer.
The Manchester United midfielder returned to action after a month on the sidelines in Tuesday's six-goal thriller with CSKA Moscow.
It should mean Fletcher will face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, when United attempt to depose the current Premier League leaders.
However, the Scotland star knows he will still be experiencing an element of discomfort from a long-standing injury he aggravated against Sunderland last month, which he accepts will eventually consign him to surgery.
"A bit of bone has broken off the back of my ankle and stuck out about an inch," he revealed.
"Every time I bend it is causing a bit of pain so I have had an injection to clear it up for a while.
"It should be okay to the end of the season but the plan is to get me through to the summer and then do something then."
Scotland's failure to qualify for next year's World Cup Finals in South Africa provides the perfect gap for Fletcher to have the operation.
"I have had it for a couple of years now and the build-up of fluid and other medical things the doctors know more about than me has been constantly aggravating it," he said.
"Striking a ball or bending the ankle in a flexed position or pushing off it hurts.
"It got to the point where it was too sore to train and play. Something had to be done and I had the injection."
It would seem certain Fletcher will be one of the first names on Sir Alex Ferguson's team-sheet on Sunday.
Certainly, United missed Fletcher's battling qualities against Liverpool a fortnight ago, with the hole his injury left proving just as troublesome to fill as it did in Rome last May, when Barcelona ran riot in the Champions League final.
Ferguson is unlikely to leave his team similarly exposed at the weekend now Fletcher is a proven top-class performer.
For a player whose early days in the Red Devils' first-team were dismissed rather crudely, the plaudits that have followed recently must sound nice.
But Fletcher insists he is not taking them too seriously.
"I take the compliments with a pinch of salt," he said.
"I enjoy these matches as much as anyone and I put pressure on myself to perform more than anyone does.
"The challenge of playing against the top-class players that Chelsea have is one I look forward to and I will be doing my best to win the match.
"But I am not going to make or break a game like this."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments