United starlet facing spell on sidelines

Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson faces a spell on the sidelines after fracturing a toe in a reserve-team clash with Sporting Lisbon.

Gibson, who made his senior debut for the Republic of Ireland in Slovakia last week, suffered the injury during a 5-2 defeat in a match that was specially arranged to pit United's youngsters against their Portuguese counterparts.

Although there has been no official confirmation of a precise recovery time for the 19-year-old, who was expected to make his first senior appearance for Sir Alex Ferguson's side in next Wednesday's Carling Cup clash with Coventry, early estimates are that Gibson will be out for 'a few weeks'.

It means the 19-year-old is now a major doubt for next month's international double-header with Germany and Cyprus at Croke Park.