Gary Neville returns to the United squad for Tottenhams visit
on Saturday.
The Reds skipper has been out of action since tweaking a calf
injury against Fulham on August 20, but is now available again for
selection.
Unfortunately, Spurs visit comes too soon for three of Nevilles
colleagues.
Alan Smith had hoped to play a part after completing 90 minutes for
the Reserves on Tuesday, but Sir Alex Ferguson quashed talk of an
early comeback.
"He is not ready," he said at his weekly press conference. "It is
Alans enthusiasm that he says 'if the manger picks me he will
play' of course he would.
"He would play with his leg broke in two that is the type of
character we are talking about.
Alan has a tremendous attitude. He's chipped away, he's handled
the whole thing very well but he's not ready for tomorrow.
Gabriel Heinze and Nemanja Vidic also miss out, although both
players trained on Friday and should be in contention for a senior
return soon.
"Vidic goes for a new plaster on Monday, said Sir Alex. Heinze
started training today. His rehabilitation is complete, his leg is
back to normal and it's a delight to see him.
He's only just come back after five weeks, I'd think in maybe two
to three weeks he'll be ready. I think he should start in the
Reserves beforehand.
Tottenhams visit pits Michael Carrick against his former team,
less than six weeks after swapping White Hart Lane for Old
Trafford.
The Gaffer is confident that the England midfielder will hold his
own against Spurs, and has been impressed by his start to life at
United.
I think anybody playing against their former team for the first
time will just want to get out there, he said.
I thought he was tremendous in the first game of the Amsterdam
Tournament against Porto. In the second game he was unfortunate to
get his injury, which has knocked him back.
In training he's been great. It's easy for him in a sense because
so many English players are there, and he should be ok.
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