Ben Foster has revealed the dark humour of the Manchester United medical staff is keeping him going during his long fight for fitness.

Although he could yet be back in action by the end of February or the beginning of March, Foster has effectively written off the season after being forced to undergo cruciate ligament surgery last summer.

After two years on loan at Watford and with an England cap under his belt, the 24-year-old's hopes of making a lasting impression on Sir Alex Ferguson this season have been dashed.

But Foster is not getting too downhearted; United's physios have seen to that.

"The physios have a good sense of humour and are a good laugh," he said.

"It is nice to have those kind of people around you. It keeps you positive.

"They have a dark sense of humour. It is like a comedy act and breaks up the monotony."