Ferdinand sidelined by back problem

(CNN) -- Rio Ferdinand will miss Manchester United's Barclays Premier League match against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on Monday with a recurrence of a back problem.

The England central defender is also expected to sit out the FA Cup third round trip to Southampton on January 4.

Ferdinand suffered another back spasm before the 1-0 Boxing Day victory at Stoke City and was forced to withdraw from the starting line-up.

"Rio won't play against Middlesbrough," United manager Alex Ferguson confirmed.

"He had a back spasm again. We have to get to the root of this; he's had this back problem too many times, so we want to get to the bottom of it.

"First of all, we'll give him complete rest, but I think he'll be okay in about 10 days."

That makes it unlikely that Ferdinand will feature in the cup tie at Southampton while the Carling Cup semifinal first leg against Derby County on January 7 appears a more realistic target.

Whatever happens Ferguson will be anxious to have Ferdinand fit for the Premier League crunch encounter against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday January 11.

Meanwhile, Patrice Evra is ruled out through suspension against Middlesbrough while Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov is pushing for a recall after impressing when he went on as a substitute at Stoke.