Schumi misses Man Utd date

The six-time world champion picked up the injury playing football for his local team at home in Switzerland.

But he insists he will be "raring to go" when he resumes testing with his Ferrari team in January.

"In truth, it is only a minor problem," he said in response to rumours about the extent of his injury.

Schumacher had to pull out of a planned training session and charity event with Manchester United after suffering the knock.

But it did not stop him taking part in a karting event in his home town of Kerpen in Germany this week.

Recharge

F1 testing resumes next week but Schumacher, as he has done for the past few years, will take a break until the New Year.

He said: "I am enjoying the fact that I have free time.

Schumacher was in karting action this week

"It is good to recharge the batteries so that I am rested for the new season. So I will be doing what I have done in the past - not taking part in the winter tests.

"I would like to take part, but I am sure that when January comes round and I get into the cockpit again, I will be raring to go."

Schumacher confirmed he pulled out of the training session in Manchester as a precaution on doctors' advice, but insisted the injury would not affect him.

"I have been asked lots of questions about the state of my knee - about which some bad rumours have been circulating," he said.

"Obviously, I'll have to be careful and rest for a while before playing football again.

"I wanted to train with [Manchester United] but I like playing in a trouble-free state of mind and right now I have to be careful."