Wayne Rooney could be set for another spell on the sidelines due to a niggling groin injury, but only in the games which Manchester United boss David Moyes feels they can cope without him.
The England striker played in his club's 2-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on New Year's Day, but missed United's game with Norwich City last weekend due to the problem.
And Moyes has revealed that he is trying to find the right balance between giving Rooney some rest from action whilst still utilising his talent on the pitch when it is needed.
Wayne Rooney in action for England in 2013.
But with the Old Trafford club losing further ground in the race for the Premier League title as 2014 gets underway, Moyes admits he can't afford to be without the 27-year-old for too long.
"If I could [rest him], I would," said Moyes.
"He has missed a couple of games with his groin and may well miss some more in the games coming up.
"But the longer it went on [against Tottenham], we had to try and get more attacking players on the pitch to find more ways to score."
United are in FA Cup Third Round action at the weekend, when they host Swansea City at Old Trafford on Sunday.
