Holland star Van der Vaart missed Wednesday's Champions League win over Werder Bremen with the problem and also sat out training.
Jermaine Jenas was set to undergo a scan on the calf injury that forced him off against Bremen, which could determine his availability, Michael Dawson (ligament damage) is back in training, but Giovani dos Santos (groin) looks to be out, while captain Ledley King (groin), Jamie O'Hara (back) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin) are long-term absentees.
Source: PA
Source: PA