Manchester: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson says Tom Cleverley will not return to first-team action before Christmas after scans showed the midfielder's ankle injury is worse than first feared.
Cleverley damaged ankle ligaments in United's 1-0 victory over Everton in the Premier League last month, his first appearance after a month-long lay-off with a foot injury.
Ferguson expected Cleverley to make a quick return but said on Friday that the youngster was still several weeks away from full fitness. "It's pretty long term ... it is unfortunate. It is worse than we thought."
The 22-year-old player, whose energy and distribution skills saw him break into the senior team, started to establish himself as a regular in United's first-team at the start of the season, having spent last year on loan at Wigan.
There was better news for winger Ashley Young, who has recovered from a toe injury and will be fit for Saturday's trip to Swansea City.
Defender Chris Smalling will miss the game in Wales but may return for Tuesday's Champions League match at home to Benfica, while striker Danny Welbeck is still recovering from a muscle strain sustained on international duty with England.
Champions United are second in the table with 26 points from 11 games, trailing neighbours Manchester City by five points.
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