Scholes touch and go for Sunday
After three months on the sidelines with a knee injury, Paul
Scholes has an outside chance of playing a part in Sundays FA Cup
clash with Tottenham.
The veteran midfield schemer has been training for the last month
to build his fitness, and resumed competitive training with the
rest of the first team squad on Friday.
His rehabilitation went fantastically well, hes been training
fantastic the last four weeks on a physical and endurance side,
Sir Alex Ferguson told his weekly press conference.
Thats all perfectly ok. Its just a decision on how he comes
through todays training session. I dont think hell be involved
on Sunday, but he is a consideration simply because hes such a
great player.
He could be on the bench, it really depends on how he comes
through today. Other than that, Im sure hell be involved against
Portsmouth.
If the decision were down to Scholes himself, theres no doubt he
would be lining up against Juande Ramos side, according to the
United manager.
Hes champing at the bit, as you would expect with him, said Sir
Alex. All week hes been begging the coaches for a game. But weve
adhered to the guidance from our specialists and the 24th (of
January) was his deadline on the medical side.
While Scholes is itching to play some part against Spurs, Sundays
match comes too soon for Louis Saha and Gary Neville. Striker Saha
should be ready for action in time for Manchester Citys visit
early next month, while club captain Neville begins training again
this Saturday.
With Scholes' return imminent, however, Sir Alex is in no doubt
that his squad will benefit immensely from having the midfielder
back in action.
"Hes a great player," he said. "At this time of the season hes
going to bring his experience, because were going into the tricky
part of the season, the important part. Weve got 15 league games
left, hopefully weve got a few European ties and FA Cup ties left.
Him coming back fresh at this time of the season is brilliant for
us.
"It happened when he was out with the eye injury. He came back and
the season he had last season was fantastic after it. So were very
buoyed by Paul coming back, its almost like a new signing at a
very important time."