Darren Fletcher has said he is hopeful he will be able to get his career back on track at Manchester United next season.
The Scottish midfielder has been out of action for a an indefinite period as he battles with ways to cope with a chronic and debilitating bowel condition.
That other high-profile sports stars, including Sir Steve Redgrave, have managed it does offer genuine reason for optimism.
Fletcher, 28, has written off playing any further part in United's Premier League title bid this season.
"It's a week-by-week situation so I've not got any timescale on recovery, but the target for me is next season now," Fletcher told the Manchester Evening News.
"If I can come back then, that would be great for me.
"It's something that will never leave me but somehow you have to find a way to manage it so that I can still play my football.
"I'm trying everything under the sun at the moment: diet, hypnotherapy."
Fletcher first started to experience problems last March. His absence for all but two games of the final three months of last season was put down to a virus.
However, after appearing in 10 United games this term, Fletcher felt he needed to take an extended break and revealed the true nature of his condition.
Source: AFP
