Darren Fletcher should take all the time off he needs

Darren Fletcher has been forced to take an indefinite break from football

There are some things more important than a game of football. Health is certainly one of them.

Darren Fletcher is taking an "extended break" from the game as he is suffering from ulcerative colitis, and he needs to take all the time he needs to ensure he makes a full recovery.

Fletcher comes across as the type of player who would play through almost any injury, but he has done the right thing by taking time off and accepting medical advice.

His absence will pose a real problem to Manchester United and Scotland, but his health must come first.

Fletcher has grown in stature as a footballer in recent years and, at full fitness, is one of the first names on Sir Alex Ferguson's teamsheet.

When Fletcher is fit for the big games, he plays.

He may not be the most talented player to ever come out of Old Trafford, but no-one has put in more effort and hard work than him during Ferguson's tenure.

Fletcher has made the very most of what he has got and it is such a shame his career risks being snatched away from him just as it is about to reach its peak.

He is widely regarded as a fantastic professional, available whenever he is needed and always willing to do the dirty work for his more high-profile team-mates.

Fletcher will never receive the accolades he truly deserves, but the greatest honour he can receive is the trust of Ferguson. He definitely has that.

Fletcher has become a big part of Ferguson's plans

Fergie will be gutted to have lost one of his key men for what looks like a sustained period of time - possibly for the rest of the season or longer - but will recognise that Fletcher must miss however long is necessary to return to full health.

His absence will leave a massive hole in United's midfield, though.

Ferguson must already be ruing his failure to replace Paul Scholes in the summer - indeed his failure to bring in any world-class midfielder - and now must make do with Michael Carrick, Darron Gibson, Ryan Giggs and Phil Jones, with Tom Cleverley still out injured.

That quartet will not strike fear into any opposition team and the blow of losing Fletcher will be another major headache for Ferguson.

It is his influence in the biggest games which will be most sorely missed, while United may now be forced to strengthen in January to cover Fletcher's loss.

Fletcher will be sorely missed at Old Trafford

It is a measure of the Scot's character that he has battled on for the last year with such a debilitating illness.

Fletcher has not looked the same since it was revealed he was suffering from a mystery virus which had led to severe weight loss, so this prolonged break may be exactly what he needs to give him the best chance of returning to peak fitness and form.

Whether he will ever return to his levels of two or three years ago is unclear - judgements like that are better left to medical experts - but one thing is for sure: it will not be for want of trying.

Fletcher has come back from devastating football knock-backs before - he missed the Champions League final in 2009 through suspension and was only well enough for a place on the bench at this year's showpiece - but now his health should be his only priority.

He deserves to make a quick and full recovery and if anyone can overcome such an illness and recapture old form, Fletcher can with his dedication, hard work and humility.