Ferdinand and Hargreaves set for Man United return by end of January

18 December 2009 12:55
Manchester United could be set for a double dose of New Year cheer on the injury front, with both Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves ready to return by the end of next month. [LNB]Ferdinand has not featured for United since being exposed by Fernando Torres at Anfield in October, while Hargreaves has now been missing for almost 15 months after undergoing career-saving knee operations to cure a tendinitis problem. [LNB]While Ferdinand stated earlier this week that he was not in danger of missing the World Cup with a long-standing back complaint, Fabio Capello has stated that Hargreaves must make his comeback soon if he is to stand a chance of getting to South Africa. [LNB] Battling back to fitness: Owen Hargreaves (left) and Rio Ferdinand[LNB]The England coach will therefore be an interested observer to see whether Ferdinand and Hargreaves fulfil Sir Alex Ferguson's stated aims for a return to first-team duties. [LNB]'Rio is improving,' said Ferguson. 'He is much better now and not too far away, probably two or three weeks. [LNB]'And Owen is doing a bit better this week as well. He is getting there slowly and we hope he will be back by the end of January.'[LNB] LIVE: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW - David Beckham set to face former club Manchester United with AC Milan, Chelsea to clash with ex-boss Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan and Arsenal draw PortoTHAT WAS THE SPORTING WEEK: The unsung heroes not honoured despite lighting up the Premier League since it started...Manchester United star Nemanja Vidic not bothered by demands of festive programmeWolves boss McCarthy rants: Fergie got away with it so why pick on me?MANCHESTER UNITED FC

Source: Daily_Mail