Soccer: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson expects Wayne Rooney to be out of action for another five weeks with an ankle problem.
Rooney has not played since the 2-2 draw against West Brom on October 16th, when he came on a substitute for the final 20 minutes.
He was then ruled out of the Champions League clash with Bursaspor a few days later after suffering an injury in training, as talk over his future at the club dominated the headlines.
The striker has already been sidelined for almost a fortnight with an injury that was initially expected to keep him out for just three weeks.
Ferguson admitted that he would be out for longer and the England striker is now not likely to be back until early December.
"I think Wayne Rooney will be out for another five weeks," said Ferguson. "He'll have to pick up his fitness again. I would think five weeks should be about right."
The manager also ruled out making any new signings in the January transfer window after watching his side beat Tottenham 2-0 yesterday to sit five points behind leaders Chelsea.
He claimed there was no need to bring any new players to Old Trafford in over the winter.
"We won't be buying in January, definitely not," said Ferguson. "If you want someone to play in Europe, you are limited right away. There are hundreds of players cup-tied.
"You have five months left of the season, I will have Antonio Valencia back hopefully towards the end of February, which is a new player coming back. If Michael Owen gets back, it is another new player coming back. So with the squad I've got, I don't see any reason for us to buy anyone."