Soccer:Javier Hernandez will be back in training tomorrow, according to the Manchester United striker's agent after the injury he sustained from a late challenge by Ashley Cole in Sunday's 3-1 defeat of Chelsea was apparently less serious than first thought.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s immediate reaction was to rule Hernandez out for two weeks but there were fears the striker could be sidelined for much longer. However, following scans, his agent said Hernandez has suffered nothing worse than a ‘bump’ and the player will be back in training after tonight’s Carling Cup trip to Leeds.
“Nothing, it’s just a bump, nothing more,” said Eduardo Hernandez. “It looked like (his absence) was longer, they were looking for a fracture; that’s why they ran those tests on him. I expect him to be training without incident on Wednesday.”
With fears of a long absence allayed, record signing Dimitar Berbatov is now expected to make his first start of the season at Elland Road. The Bulgarian secured a share of the Premier League’s Golden Boot with Carlos Tevez last term but, thus far, has been restricted to just two substitute appearances, the latest as Hernandez’s replacement at the weekend.
There could also be a first start of the season for Michael Owen, who has yet to play a single minute. The 31 year old striker though has been prepared to bide his time, demonstrating a maturity in his attitude. “I understand you cannot be given guarantees in football. As last season drew to an end I was 50-50 about what the manager would say when he called me in.
“If it had gone the other way I wouldn’t have been upset. I am proud to have been involved with such a great club. But secretly when he said he wanted me to stay my fist was clenched under the table. “We are all men about it. If I didn’t play at all during the season I would sit down with the manager and have another chat.
“I have been a striker for many years. I have been the number one choice and had people chomping at my heels. Now it is roles reversed but I can think of a lot worse places to be. When I train it is with the best players. When I play it is in front of fantastic fans in a great stadium and the quality is high.”
