London, Feb 28: Manchester United's bid to retain the Premier League title could soon be boosted by the return from injury of club captain Gary Neville.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has expressed confidence that Neville will be back in contention before long, after having suffered a number of set-backs since sustaining an ankle injury almost a year ago.The England international has played just twice for the reserves since sustaining an ankle injury 11 months ago, and managed to last only 45 minutes of a reserve game against Everton last month.
Now 33, Neville has seen several comeback attempts hit the buffers since he broke his ankle last March, and has also had to contend with thigh and calf injuries.
But Ferguson is upbeat about the player's prospects and positive that he will make a successful return to the United first-team.
He told the Daily Telegraph: "Gary is training, the same as last week, and we are hoping there are no more set-backs and that he gets a trouble-free run-in.
"If he does that, then I have no doubts he will come back."