Speaking at the Carrington Training Centre this morning, Eriksson reported: “We have Johnson who has to rest for a couple of days and will almost for sure miss Blackburn.

“Hopefully he can be available for Liverpool. He’s had a scan and they’ve said where he was operated on it is not a problem, it’s higher up this time.

“I’m a bit worried that it’s come back, but probably he can’t play twice a week yet anyway, he has to work more first.

“Mpenza will not train today, but probably will train tomorrow, and that’s it.”

mcfc.co.uk will bring you the Manager’s thoughts in the build up to Thursday’s game from Boxing Day as we wish you a very happy Christmas