Manchester United defender Alex Telles could return from injury sooner than expected, a new report has claimed.
Telles, who is currently on loan at Spanish side Sevilla from United, sustained a right knee injury in Brazil's 1-0 defeat to Cameroon at the World Cup earlier this month.
The injury ruled him out of the remainder of the tournament, with Brazil eventually beaten on penalties by Croatia in the quarter-finals.
It was feared that Telles might require surgery which could rule him out for a number of months, as is the case with his Brazil teammate Gabriel Jesus.
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Arsenal striker Jesus also sustained a knee injury in the defeat to Cameroon and is expected to miss several months after undergoing surgery.
Timeframe put on Telles' return
It now appears that Telles' injury is not as bad as first feared, with the left-back progressing well in his recovery.
Spanish publication AS says the Brazilian could be back in action by February.
"His injury with Brazil at the World Cup set off all the alarms at first, especially when a torn ligament was announced that aroused pessimism about his return to the pitch," read the report.
"Subsequent tests were more positive and it is expected that the player could be back as of February when competitions reach a higher degree of demand."
Telles has made 19 appearances for Sevilla in all competitions since joining the Spanish club on a season-long loan.
Sevilla head coach Jorge Sampaoli will hope to have the left-back available soon, with his side struggling at the wrong end of the La Liga table.
They are currently third bottom and are at real risk of relegation after picking up just two wins from their opening 14 league matches.
Sevilla next face lower league side Juventud Torremolinos in the second round of the Copa del Rey on December 21 before returning to La Liga action away at Celta Vigo on December 30.
Topics: Manchester United, Alex Telles, Sevilla, Football, La Liga, Transfers
Rory O'Callaghan