Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 6y

Romelu Lukaku has scan on ankle injury, reveals no fracture - Belgium

Manchester United have received an injury boost after a scan on Romelu Lukaku's ankle revealed no fracture or ligament damage.

Lukaku was checked over at hospital in Brussels on Monday while on international duty with Belgium after picking up the problem in training with United on Friday.

After being given pain-killing injections, the striker passed a fitness test on Saturday morning before being allowed to play against Crystal Palace. He was able to complete 90 minutes and scored in the 4-0 win -- his 11th goal in 10 games since moving to Old Trafford.

However, after joining up with his international teammates at the Belgian Football Centre on Monday afternoon, he missed training with the rest of the Roberto Martinez's squad.

A scan on his ankle revealed no significant damage and the 24-year-old is set to stay with the Belgium squad ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo on Saturday and Cyprus in Brussels on Tuesday.

Belgium officials are confident Lukaku will be fit to face Bosnia and Herzegovina but he will follow an individual training programme this week.

Belgium are top of Group H and have already qualified for next summer's World Cup in Russia.

United manager Jose Mourinho will hope Lukaku comes through the international break unscathed with a crucial run of fixtures to come in October and November.

Three of United's next four Premier League games are against Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea. The run starts with a trip to Anfield on Oct. 14.

Provided he is fit, it will be a first opportunity for Lukaku to prove he is capable of scoring United's goals in big games.

But after a blistering start with his new club following his £75 million move from Everton, Juan Mata insists Lukaku has already surpassed expectations.

"It's a lot of goals, especially when you come to a new environment," said Mata, after scoring his first goal of the season against Palace. "I knew he would score a lot but I didn't know he would do it so quick, that's true.

"He gives a lot more to the team too but for a striker it's important to score. He has started really well and he has been a key part to our good start to the season.

"I don't know how many goals he has been scoring during his career but when he was at Anderlecht he was already scoring 20 per season. He just needed confidence and I think he got it in Everton and became a more experienced and better player.

"It's not easy to come to United and reach expectations but he is doing more than people expected and that is great for us."

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