By David Hobbs
September 14 2005

Manchester United captain Roy Keane will be out for up to 3 weeks with a hamstring injury although reports claim he'll be on the sidelines until November.

The Republic of Ireland and Red Devils skipper came on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City on the weekend but wasn't scheduled to make an appearance after picking up a hamstring problem.

Keane, 34, will definitely miss clashes with Villarreal tonight in the Champions League and Sunday's big fixture with arch-rivals Liverpool. He is also a doubt for the Republic's World Cup Qualifier with Switzerland.

Alan Smith, adapting to a new holding midfield role, or Darren Fletcher are expected to fill the midfield void over the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo is in United's 19-man squad who face Villarreal tonight despite being left out at the weekend due to the death of his father.

David Hobbs - Webmaster
[david@manutdweb.com]