Still no return date for Ferdinand

Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has had an injection in an attempt to ease his long-standing back complaint.

The 30-year-old has been out of action since the end of October, and although United manager Alex Ferguson played down fears of a long-term absence at the time, Ferdinand has now missed 13 club games, plus England's friendly defeat to Brazil in Qatar.

While Ferguson insists it should 'not be long' before the for-mer West Ham centre-back is back in action, he also revealed there is 'no light' at the end of the tunnel and admitted it is hard to put a timescale on when Ferdinand will again be available.

'We gave Rio an injection just over two weeks ago so we have to let that settle for a week then he can go back into the gym work and do some more core work,' said Ferguson.

'We are just hoping that pain goes away. There is no light at the end of the tunnel and it is difficult to put a timescale on a back injury. But I don't think he is too far away.'