Rafael facing a month out for United

Manchester United FC defender Rafael will miss this weekend's English League Cup final as he faces a month on the sidelines with a fractured ankle.

Returning trio
The Brazilian full-back suffered the injury during last weekend's 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers FC and, as well as sitting out Sunday's showpiece match against Tottenham Hotspur FC at Wembley, he will be absent for the UEFA Champions League first knockout round return leg at home to FC Internazionale Milano on 11 March. "Rafael is out for a month with a slight hairline fracture of his ankle," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "It's a blow for the kid because he's been playing in all the games and he's done so well. He deserves to be in the final." Sir Alex can nonetheless turn to Jonny Evans, Gary Neville and Anderson, who all appear likely to travel to the capital despite recent injuries.