Manchester United injury update | Antonio Valencia doubtful for Tottenham

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson held his weekly press conference today and during it, he revealed that winger Antonio Valencia is 'doubtful' for tomorrow's tie with Tottenham Hotspur. The injury doesn't appear too serious though:

"Antonio Valencia's doubtful. He got a knock first of all when he went into the tackle with [Daniel] Agger and [Glen] Johnson [at Anfield] before he broke clear and got brought down. He got an ankle injury there. But if he's not okay for tomorrow he should be okay for Tuesday [against CFR Cluj]."

-Ferguson | Source: ManUtd.com

Fergie also commented on the injuries to his defense and on youngster Scott Wootton possibly being involved at some point in the next three games. It sounds as if Chris Smalling might return after the upcoming international break as well:

"We had bad news earlier in the week about Nemanja [Vidic] It's a blow. We've had a terrible time with defenders. Hopefully we get through the next three games and the international break comes along. By that time we should have Chris Smalling back. On Wednesday we played two young boys and they did very well. Scott Wootton reads the game well, passes the ball well and having seen him in a situation against very experienced players, I thought he did very well. That's a bonus for us and he'll be involved in the game tomorrow."

- Ferguson

The manager discussed Darren Fletcher's return too and it's possible that the midfielder features at some point again in the upcoming week:

"Darren Fletcher is in the squad for tomorrow. Obviously because he played on Wednesday night and contributed so well - also it was his first game of that magnitude for 10 months - I wouldn't start him. But he may get a place on the bench and he could possibly go to Romania and play against Cluj. That could be an ideal opportunity for him. His enthusiasm on Wednesday night was fantastic. Darren sat in front of the two centre-backs and did a really good job."

- Ferguson

Fergie didn't discuss these players but Ashley Young and Phil Jones are not expected to be available for Tottenham either.