Neville eyes Reserves return
Gary Neville is expected to be named in United's Reserves squad for
the visit of Stockport County in the Manchester Senior Cup on
Thursday 1 November
A series of injuries have forced the Reds' captain to miss more
than seven months' action, but Sir Alex Ferguson told English press
last week that Neville, 32, has regained full fitness and trained
without incident for more than two weeks.
Ferguson told Manchester United Radio of his desire to reintroduce
Neville to first-team action as soon as possible, although he
admitted a Reserves run-out is perhaps more realistic at this
stage.
"Gary's doing great," Sir Alex said. "We'll probably just wait for
the next Reserves game to play him."
Neville, also speaking to the club's radio station, said he can't
wait to take the field again, although concedes he may have a
difficult time forcing his way back into the first XI.
"I've made myself available," he confirmed. "But with the way Wes
[Brown] is playing and Danny Simpson has been great, too it
might be a case of easing me back in over the space of a couple of
weeks."
Neville's injury nightmares began when he picked up an ankle knock
against Bolton Wanderers in March. At the time, it was hoped he
would return in time to skipper United against Chelsea in last
season's FA Cup final. That date came and went, before calf and
thigh injuries further delayed his return.
"It's been too long," he sighs. "Missing the end of last season was
bad enough but then for it to go into this season is doubly
frustrating. Hopefully it's over now and I can get back into the
team.
"The worst part about it has been going into the gym every day.
It's okay for a couple of weeks but after that it's just mundane
and boring. The physios try to make it as exciting as possible for
you, but there's only so much excitement you can get out of a
rowing machine or a bike.
"Most of all, I miss going out on the pitch. I'm seeing the lads
playing well and they're getting good results and I want to be part
of it. Coming in every day and then not being able to train with my
mates is hard. An hour and a half on the training pitch flies by,
but an hour and a half in the gym can feel like three days."