Just as Mikael Silvestre was getting used to being a regular centre back Wes Brown says his rehab is going well and he should be back by the new year.
"The knee is coming along fine now, and last week I went onto another level of the fitness schedule when I was given the go-ahead to start running again.
"I am not pushing it yet and I’m not doing any sprinting or anything like that. It’s nothing too difficult or major but it was a case of getting my legs going again and it was good to get out in the fresh air to do some work instead of being in the gym.
"The next thing on the schedule will be to play tennis and a bit of badminton as well.
"I will be allowed to do that eventually to get the knee twisting and turning again. Playing tennis enables you to work the knee without really knowing about it.
"It’s good for strengthening the knee. I did it last time in 1999 when I did my other cruciate and it’s a big step along the way. It’s a help to have the experience of a previous injury because I can monitor how I am doing and recall what stage I was at last time."
It's not easy being paid all that money while getting yourself fit though. Wes said
"It’s almost as much a psychological battle as it is a physical one,"
"I was gutted when I did it but I know I have got through it before.
"Sometimes there are days though when you just don’t want to do any of the work when you come in the morning because you are so down.
"I am beyond that stage now. I am happy and just things like being able to start running again helps."
However it looks like Mickey's place is safe for a while at least.
"I am not even thinking about getting back into the side," he said.
"The lads are doing extremely well and I hope they keep it going."