Manchester United hope Wayne Rooney will be fit for the Christmas period despite the striker being injured for the Capital One Cup tie against Stoke.
The 28-year-old was ruled out of Wednesday's quarter-final match at the Britannia Stadium.
When asked whether Rooney would be fit for the busy festive schedule, manager David Moyes replied: "We hope so."
United are already without Robin Van Persie and play four league games between 21 December and 1 January.
Rooney has been one of United's most impressive performers, scoring 12 goals in 26 appearances, during an inconsistent season for the club,
The reigning Premier League champions, who are 10 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, host West Ham on Saturday.
And the absence of England striker Rooney would leave Moyes short of options in attack as the Scot will be without Van Persie - last season's leading scorer - until January.
The Dutchman, who will be sidelined for a month with a thigh strain, could return for the league match against Chelsea on 19 January.