Right-back Gary Neville will make his Manchester United comeback in a reserve game against Liverpool this week.
The club captain has not kicked a ball since March because of calf and ankle problems but has resumed training and is ready to get some match action under his belt.
Neville will play on Thursday against Liverpool and could be back in first-team contention once the international break is over if he comes through unscathed.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told the Daily Star: "We are hoping to use Gary against Liverpool reserves this week. That's the plan.
"He is getting better and he is improving all the time.
"He's over his last injury and he has been training now for over two weeks and he is at a good level.
"Because he has been out for so long, he needs games now and hopefully he can start on Thursday.
"It will be a good introduction for him game-wise."
