Manchester United defender Gary Neville is hopeful of being
fit for this weekend's Charity Shield against
Chelsea.
The England international full-back missed much of the second half
of last season due to an ankle ligament injury.
Neville is desperate to avoid missing anymore football and believes
featuring in the Wembley showpiece will prove his fitness ahead of
the new season.
"I've done quite a bit of rehabilitation work over the summer and
started pre-season with the team," he told thefa.com.
"I'm starting to run out on the field and I'm hoping to be fit for
the Community Shield.
"It will be fantastic for me to be able to get in for the game and
get ready for the start of the season.
"I don't want to miss anymore football, I'm desperate to play with
this team; I think it's such an exciting time."
Owen an
asset
Meanwhile, Neville has heaped praise on Manchester United's
big-money summer capture Owen Hargreaves.
The 32-year-old believes the Canadian-born star's ability to win
the ball and deliver a quality set-piece will prove invaluable for
The Red Devils.
"Owen is an extremely solid person in terms of his professionalism,
he works for the team and if you give Owen a job to do he'll do
it," Neville told TheFA.com.
"He won't lose concentration during a match and you'll have to go a
long way to find someone who is quicker at getting to the ball and
tackling than Owen Hargreaves.
"He's also a great free-kick taker, I don't think that should be
underestimated, he's one of the best I've seen. That's really
something I think we'll see more of for United."