Scott Parker is a doubt for the season opener against Manchester City after tweaking knee ligaments last week.
Parker - who sustained the knock whilst playing for the Hammers against Sigma in Austria last week - had initially looked like missing no more than a fortnight.But that initial diagnosis is thought to have been wide of the mark, and it is now believed that the £7million summer signing could be out of action for up to a month - meaning that he would almost certainly miss the season opener on 11th August.
Craig Bellamy, speaking after last night's defeat at MK Dons told reporters:
"Pre-season is a tough time for any team, and losing Scott for four weeks is a big blow. But we've got a good squad here."
United's injury jinx - which struck Dean Ashton just days before the start of last season, ruling him out for the entire season - had already claimed another new signing, Julien Faubert, who is unlikely to play until next year after rupturing his achilles last week.
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