MANCHESTER, England, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Manchester United
midfielder Paul Scholes could return from a three-month injury
absence in the FA Cup next weekend, United's assistant manager
Carlos Queiroz said on Friday.
Scholes has been out of action since undergoing an operation to
clear up a knee injury sustained in training at the end of October.
"We are waiting for clearance and we think next Thursday the
medical staff will give clearance for Paul Scholes to be ready to
start full training and playing. He can play immediately," Queiroz
told a news conference.
According to Queiroz, Scholes' general fitness levels are
"fantastic" and he believes the 33-year-old former England
international could be back in Alex Ferguson's squad for their FA
Cup fourth-round tie against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on
Jan. 27.
"The FA Cup is a possibility. We hope after clearance next Thursday
that he can at least be on the bench." The return of the
influential Scholes, who has scored 138 goals in 550 appearances
for United, will provide a further boost for United as they chase a
treble of the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
"To have Paul Scholes, Louis Saha, Gerard Piquet and Gary Neville
coming back at the end of the month is fantastic news for us,"
Queiroz added. Queiroz said Saha was progressing well after a knee
injury and that United would decide later on Friday whether to take
Gary Neville on their training trip to Saudi Arabia on Saturday
night or leave him to train in Manchester and play again for the
reserves in mid-week.
Wes Brown returns from suspension for United's Premier League game
at Reading on Saturday and Owen Hargreaves is also fit again.
