David De Gea might face at least a month out of action after dislocating his finger during training with the Spanish national team.
The Manchester United keeper was having the injury assessed by Spain’s team doctor on Friday before deciding when he should return to Old Trafford.
The keeper has been in sublime form this season and was trying to save a low shot from Paco Alcacer when his little right hand finger jammed during a training session for the friendly against Belarus in Huelva.
He was immediately led away, and United confirmed that the Spanish FA had told them the injury was a dislocation.
It is another injury worry for Spain, who are already without Cesc Fabregas because of a hamstring problem.
‘The keeper David de Gea was forced to stop training after suffering an injury to the fifth finger of his right hand,’ read a statement on sefutbol, the national team’s official website.
‘Having suffered a similar situation in the past, De Gea will remain with the squad and will wait to see how he improves.’
The injury will be a blow for De Gea, who was hoping to better Iker Casillas for Spain’s No 1 goalkeeper jersey.
It’s also a disappointment for Louis Van Gaal who has a massive injury list and could lose his No 1 keeper for several weeks.
De Gea has started has a week to decide whether to go with reserve stopper Anders Lindegaard, who was told earlier this season he can leave Old Trafford, or offer a first-team opportunity to inexperienced Ben Amos, who has played for England under 21s.
Former Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes has also been training with United as he completes his recovery from a knee injury.
United already have a series of injury doubts, with as many as nine first-team players – including Radamel Falcao and Marcos Rojo – currently sidelined ahead of their next fixture at Arsenal on November 22.