Keane may need hip op - Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson admits Roy Keane may have to have an operation on his hip injury.

Keane has been plagued by the problem for several months.

Ferguson knows if he has surgery he could be sidelined for up to three months.

Ferguson told the Sunday People: "He has felt his hip for a while. The problem is what to do about it.

"He could go on for the rest of the season if he has the odd injection and treatment.

"It's possible he could stagger on until the end of the season by regathering himself as only he can do but we are actually taking it game to game at the moment."

Ferguson will leave any decision on an operation up to Keane.

"It will always be the player's decision but when you look at Freddie Ljungberg and Robbie Fowler you are talking two to three months out."

Keane's injury worries are worsening against a background of mounting disciplinary problems.

Already facing a possible Football Association disrepute charge for comments made about Alf-Inge Haaland in his autobiography, Keane is facing further trouble over his sending off against Sunderland.