Source: edited from goal.com
Manchester United's Premier League title defence is due to receive a boost with the news that Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Louis Saha are nearing full fitness, while Owen Hargreaves has also recovered from a knock and is available for the trip to Reading on Saturday.
Scholes has been sidelined since October after injuring knee ligaments before United's Champions League game against Dynamo Kiev. He resumed training over Christmas and will be given a check out by the club's medical team next Thursday.
If he gets the all-clear, Scholes will be able to start full training and could be available for United's FA Cup fourth round clash against Tottenham Hotspur on January 27th.
“We are waiting for clearance from the medical staff next Thursday," assistant manager Carlos Queiroz said on Friday.
“We think the medical staff will give Scholes clearance to start full training. If he does get the all-clear he can play immediately."
Regarding Scholes' chances of making the Tottenham game, Queiroz said: "It’s a possibility - or at least he will probably be on the bench.”
Queiroz added: "His fitness is fantastic.
"He’s training like an 18-year-old. He’s very excited, he can sense that he’ll be back soon."
Meanwhile, Gary Neville could fly out with the squad to Saudi Arabia on Saturday evening for their four-day training camp.
Neville made his second comeback in the Reserves last week after ten months on the sidelines with ankle ligament trouble. He felt his hamstring was not right in the match against Everton so had to come off at half-time.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson and his coaching staff will make a decision about Neville after training today. If he stays in Manchester, he will play for the Reserves against Bolton next Wednesday, according to United's official website.
United.com also report that Saha is ahead of schedule as he tries to recover from a knee injury. The French striker was not involved in United's 6-0 thrashing of Newcastle last weekend.
He was originally expected to be out for around three weeks, but Queiroz now says Saha is likely to be back "earlier than expected".
Exciting times ahead and permutations galore..... Work out your preferred new XI?
