Evans expects to go under the knife

Jonny Evans has revealed he will probably need an operation to solve an ankle problem that has plagued him since Christmas.

It has not been decided when the young Manchester United defender will have surgery but Evans knows he cannot carry on playing with pain-killers forever.

"At some point my ankle will need surgery," said the 22-year-old. "It is a problem that has been bothering me since Christmas. We thought it might have gone away over the summer but it is still there."

He added: "Every now and again I catch it and it will be quite sore for a while. Then the pain dies off after a week or so."

As a short-term measure, the anaesthetic seems to be working.

The Northern Ireland star was able to get through 34 games last season - including the Carling Cup final - and the first two this year when Rio FerdinandNemanja Vidic have been out injured. and

Ferdinand is out, though, with Evans acknowledging the 30-year-old's absence for another four weeks is a major blow.

"Rio is a good leader, a very good defender and a great player," he said. "He is a big character who brings a lot to the team when he is playing."