Eric Bailly has handed Manchester United an injury boost - with the defender eyeing an early return after undergoing knee surgery.
Bailly went under the knife in July after suffering ligament damage in his right knee during a pre-season friendly against Tottenham in China.
He was set to be ruled out until Christmas with a five-month recovery period expected to be required before he was ready to return to action.
But, according to ESPN FC, Bailly may now return to action quicker than first thought.
He is reportedly targeting a return in November, after the international break, and could return to training in around two months.
The 25-year-old has not featured in a competitive fixture since April when he injured his left knee.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will welcome the news as his injury troubles at Old Trafford mount.
Luke Shaw is out for a month with a hamstring problem while Anthony Martial missed the draw at Southampton with a thigh strain.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jesse Lingard were both called up to the England squad but the duo withdrew with a back injury and through illness respectively.
Paul Pogba also pulled out of international duty with France after picking up an ankle knock at St Mary's while Diogo Dalot travelled to China for treatment on a hip injury.
