Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton has confirmed that he will be sidelined for another few weeks following an ankle injury sustained prior to the Fulham victory.
The 36-year-old has been a regular fixture in the matchday squad for the Red Devils this year.
He has preserved clean sheets in his two appearances, both in the Carabao Cup.
Heaton was recently absent for the FA Cup quarter-final victory over Fulham, with January signing Jack Butland taking his place on the bench, and he has now disclosed that he rolled his ankle in training ahead of the encounter.
The veteran added that he damaged his ligament in the process but remains hopeful of making his recovery halfway through the month of April.
He told Manutd.com: “Yeah, unfortunately the day before the Fulham game, I rolled my ankle in training.”
“Thankfully, it’s not too bad but it’ll mean a couple of weeks out, I think. I should be back some point in April somewhere, hopefully halfway through.
“It’s an occupational hazard unfortunately, a bit of a random one but, yeah, I just went over on the ankle and nicked the ligament.
“I’m in this [protective boot] for another few days then hope to get it back moving again.”
David de Gea currently acts as the clear No. 1 option between the sticks for Manchester United, but the Spaniard has been rested for just four games in the cup competitions.
In Heaton’s absence, January loan acquisition Jack Butland will be on the substitute bench in the coming weeks, but it is unlikely that he will feature for the Red Devils unless De Gea suffers an unprecedented injury.
Erik ten Hag’s side have entered a business-end across all competitions and it’s unlikely De Gea will be rested between now and the end of the campaign.
With the team vying for the FA Cup and the Europa League, the 32-year-old has had another great season with exceptional saves.
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