There are several reports today, albeit from some sketchy sources, stating that Rio Ferdinand is set to be handed up to six weeks on the sidelines in order to recover from his back problems.

The reports appear to be based on comments made by team-mate Wes Brown who stresses just how long that Rio has been suffering from his injuries, as well as stating that the time has come to sort the problem…

“Rio has been injured for a very long time and he’s been getting a lot of pain in his back for a long time… I’m not sure how many months it’s been going on, but he’s come to the stage where he’s sorting it out now.”

There’s no official confirmation of a term of absence for Ferdinand but there seems little doubt that he will miss the clash with Chelsea this weekend…

Any prolonged term of absence will of course promote the potential of Jonny Evans as a fantasy prospect. Evans is currently available at just 5.2 in the Fantasy Premier League game and looks a good mid-term option from gamweek 13 onwards (EVE por whm AVL). By the time the Chelsea game is out of the way, we may have better information on Ferdinand’s situation, allowing to give the Evans option more consideration.

Elsewhere, the Telegraph are hinting that Wes Brown could line up at right-back against Chelsea, with Vidic returning alongside Evans. Given that Brown played 90 minutes against CSKA on Tuesday, whilst O’Shea sat on the bench, I find this unlikely. You never know though.

There’s also confirmation today that Darren Fletcher will eventually require an operation to solve an ankle problem. The midfielder is playing through the pain at the moment having missed the last five games with the injury.

The player himself states that the operation could be postponed until the Summer…

“It should be OK to the end of the season…that is the plan, anyway.”

While that could be the case, the news casts serious doubt over Fletcher’s potential for a regular starting role for the rest of the season.