Van der Sar to undergo injury assessment

Van der Sar will travel to Holland (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar is returning to Holland to get a fresh assessment on his troublesome knee injury.

The 39-year-old has been missing since mid-November after suffering a blow on the knee in a collision with Everton's Tim Cahill at Old Trafford.

It was originally thought the veteran Dutchman would only be missing for a couple of games.

However, with the Christmas programme approaching and no return in sight, Sir Alex Ferguson revealed van der Sar is to see his former national team doctor.

"Edwin is going back to Holland," said Ferguson.

"It is a change of scenery for him and the Holland team doctor will have a look at the injury.

"He has never had an injury like this in his life before so we think it is a good idea and expect him back in a couple of days."

Ferguson also confirmed Portugal winger Nani will be out for two more weeks with an ankle injury he suffered in the Champions League victory over Wolfsburg earlier this month.

In addition, John O'Shea is likely to be absent well into January with the injury he sustained on Republic of Ireland World Cup duty, with Wes Brown (hamstring) and Gary Neville (groin) the most likely to ease Ferguson's desperate injury situation by making their comebacks within 10 days and a week respectively.

Serbian international Nemanja Vidic could be available for tomorrow's trip to Fulham.

Vidic limped out of Tuesday's victory over Wolves with a calf strain and Ferguson will make a late check before deciding whether to include his stand-in captain.