Simon Grayson is hoping the week-long trip to Slovakia will prove beneficial to recovering central defender Paddy Kisnorbo.

The Australian defender, who was forced into missing the World Cup after suffering an Achilles injury against Millwall in March, was a surprise inclusion on United's travelling party for the pre-season tour.

But, after spending many lonely hours at Thorp Arch during the summer, the United manager is hoping the trip will give the popular defender a change of scenery as he continues his re-hab.

No date has been pencilled in for a return from Paddy yet - the boss admitted last week that he could miss the first half of the season - but while his team-mates are being put through their paces on the training pitch, last season's Player of the Year is continuing his re-hab with physios Harvey Sharman and Paul Perkins.

"It's going to be a long recovery for Paddy," explained the manager.

"It's good for him to be around the group. When you're in re-hab you can spend a long time on your own working, and this is a good opportunity for him to be around the group.

"This keeps his mind fresh and gives him the chance to continue his work in a different environment.

"Paddy's got the best opportunity to be fit and come back even fitter and stronger than he started with us."

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