'I am ready' - Manchester United handed crucial boost amid defensive injury crisis
Manchester United centre-back Victor Lindelof has confirmed it was a nerve issue that forced him to miss the start of the season through injury - but insists he is now ready to play his part.
The defender, who is out of contract at the end of this season, made his first appearance of the campaign in last Sunday's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa. He was brought on at half-time to replace Noussair Mazraoui.
That marked his first outing of any kind since United's final pre-season friendly of the summer against Liverpool in South Carolina at the start of August. He was absent from training for several weeks and did not make the matchday squad again until the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on September 29.
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Lindelof, 30, has now revealed he had been playing through the pain barrier and admitted he reached a point where a procedure was necessary. He was a second half substitute for Sweden in their 2-2 draw with Slovakia on Friday night and said: "It's very nice to be back. My body is fine. I have been working hard during rehab. The body feels good and I am ready to help.
"It has been very frustrating. I've probably never been as injured as I was last season. It's tough having injuries but, right now, I feel good and I'm not playing with any pain.
"It wasn't a broken toe, more a nerve problem. I did a procedure. I had been playing with syringes for a while and something just needed to be done."
Following the losses of both Harry Maguire and Mazraoui against Villa last weekend, United are significantly light on defensive options, particularly at full-back. As reported by the Manchester Evening News in August, Lindelof will be used as cover in the full-back department.
Lindelof has played at both right-back and left-back for United meaning he is capable of stepping out of his comfort zone. It remains to be seen if either Luke Shaw or Tyrell Malacia will be back available in the coming weeks.