Simon Grayson is refusing to set a timescale on Jonny Howson's return to action.

Jonny suffered a knee injury during the 2-0 victory against Millwall nine days ago and saw a specialist on Friday morning about the problem.

The United boss says the verdict was better than anticipated, but insists he is setting no timescale on the player's return to senior action.

"We're waiting on a few things," said the boss.

"The severity isn't as major it could have been which is positive news for us and Jonny. It's not his cruciate and he won't need surgery.

"He won't be playing for the foreseeable, but he'll be working hard with the physios in the coming weeks and over Christmas and we'll see where we are.

"I'm not putting any time scale on it, but the good thing is that he doesn't need surgery."