Boji's recovery 'in good shape' - Sven

The Bulgaria international striker, who signed for the club from Fiorentina in the summer, suffered the serious injury in the opening minutes of the Manchester derby in August.

Bojinov was swiftly submitted for surgery having suffered the injury less than 10 minutes into his first start for the Eastlands outfit.

The 21-year-old was operated on in Italy days after the match and has matched the experts' recovery expectations.

Eriksson, who revealed Bojinov is back in England and continuing his rehabilitation at the club's Carrington base, is positive about the striker's progress so far but vowed to give him ample time to ensure the injury is fully healed.

The former England manager, whose side currently sit third in the Barclays Premier League, told the club's website, mcfc.co.uk: "It's looking good, and I'm told by the medical people that for that kind of injury he is looking in good shape.

"I don't push people, so it's very difficult to say which date he can start training with the others, or when he's ready to play.

"I don't think anyone can say that now, but hopefully around Christmas he might be taking part in training sessions, and then we'll see when he is match fit.

"Everything looks good for Valeri at the moment."

Even without Bojinov, Eriksson is happy with his options up front. Emile Mpenza and Georgios Samaras, two strikers who appeared to be at the bottom of the pecking order after the Swede's arrival, have performed commendably recently.

Belgian forward Mpenza has operated in the lone striker role with Samaras on the bench - and record signing Rolando Bianchi seemingly in the cold.

Of Bianchi, however, Eriksson said: "There's no injury and he's working extremely hard.

"The three strikers will soon give me the same problem as the goalkeepers. We saw George [against Birmingham] and he's been working very hard, getting better and better, stronger and stronger.

"Tactically, he's becoming more aware about what to do out there because it's a big difference to see him today and in July when I first saw him.

"Mpenza works hard, Bianchi works hard, so in this moment I'm not going to change the system just to make life easier for two strikers. One striker and Elano has been working very well, so I can't change that."