RIO OUT FOR A FEW WEEKS

Last updated : 06 October 2002 By Editor

From The NOTW:

We broke the news to the FA that the £30million Manchester United defender will undergo an emergency operation this morning that rules him out of England's opening two European Championship qualifiers.

FA spokesman Paul Newman said: "We knew nothing about this but a knee injury is a knee injury.

"Sven will meet with United's medical staff tomorrow to discuss the situation."

Fergie: "It has been bothering him for some time. We have decided to have the operation done now so that we can have him for as much as possible for the rest of the season."