Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says Ritchie de Laet is set for an extended first team run.
After victory over Wolves, skipper Nemanja Vidic picked up a calf strain that is almost certain to rule him out of Saturday's trip to Fulham.
Wes Brown also faces a two-week lay-off, which would be enough to rule him out of the entire festive programme, after suffering a hamstring injury against Aston Villa on Saturday.
It means Michael Carrick will be forced to continue in central defence at Craven Cottage, probably alongside 21-year-old Belgian De Laet.
"Ritchie showed some promise and he will probably be there on Saturday," said Ferguson. "We just have to get on with it."