Manchester United will be without Ryan Giggs, Louis Saha and Gary Neville for Wednesday's Champions League match against FC Copenhagen.
Neville has suffered a recurrence of a calf injury and will also miss the Premiership match against Portsmouth, with Wes Brown likely to deputise.
Giggs (hamstring) and Saha (knee) also miss out, but full-back Patrice Evra has shaken off an ankle injury.
Copenhagen will be without former Chelsea winger Jesper Gronkjaer
United's teenage defender Kieran Lee, who scored United's extra-time Carling Cup winner against Crewe last week, is also included in the squad.
"We had a tough game at Bolton on Saturday and we have another Saturday match this week, which doesn't make it any easier for us in terms of the injury situation," said United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
"It's a blow not to have such experienced players but we've got a big squad.
"But we do have players like Wes Brown and Gabriel Heinze to come in so things are not so bad."
Copenhagen coach Stale Solbakken said he was worried about taking on the Premiership leaders with a less than full strength side.
"We're missing players who can spearhead the team up the pitch," he said.
Gasfene
neville never mind one.
Dead_Man_Inc
maybe can move ronaldo to the left flank, and fletcher will be on the right for the UCL game, and maybe the game against portsmouth..
wes brown can take over gary neville and maybe our 20legend can take over saha..
Ben_Ng69
Originally posted by Gasfene:
neville never mind one.
i dun tink Neville is tat bad.. he got more experience
used
manu still have quality players on the bench to cover
maybe can even see smith in the first 11
iceFatboy
somehow, I think SAF is keeping these players carefully for the long season.
Rock^Star
how long these trio injured?
saha seems to be always getting injured. worrying
zocoss
not serious i belief... just keep them for the epl cos this match not so important i think...