Double dose of good news for Fergie

ALEX FERGUSON received a double dose of good news with Ryan Giggs and Ruud van Nistelrooy both set to return from injury ahead of schedule.

While neither man is anywhere near fit enough to be considered for today's FA Cup tie against non-league Exeter, Ferguson is already looking ahead to the key duo's comeback.

For Giggs, it should be an encounter with Aston Villa on January 22.

And crucially, Ferguson expects van Nistelrooy to have recovered from his Achilles problem before United tackle AC Milan in the Champions League at the end of next month.

Van Nistelrooy's return for treatment in Holland had sparked fears that he would not be fit until the end of March, by which time United's pursuit for honours on four fronts could be virtually over.

The prolific Dutch striker remains United's top scorer this season even though he has missed the last nine games with the injury which started in his calf and moved to his Achilles.

If reports of an extended lay-off had proved to be correct, Ferguson's hopes of landing more silverware could have been fatally wounded.

"Ruud's injury has not got any worse," confirmed Ferguson. "We still expect him to be fit for AC Milan."

In Giggs' case, a tried and trusted rehabilitation programme should allow him to return within a fortnight after the in-form winger limped out of Tuesday's goalless draw with Spurs.

While it seems unlikely Giggs will be part of the side that faces arch rivals Liverpool at Anfield next weekend, that could be the only match he misses given he was unlikely to be involved against Exeter or Chelsea in the Carling Cup on Wednesday.

"I read Ryan was going to be out for six weeks," scoffed Ferguson. "No-one from Old Trafford predicted that kind of thing. He will be back in two weeks."

With Wes Brown likely to face Exeter after recovering from his own Achilles complaint and Louis Saha, Quinton Fortune and John O'Shea all thought to have a better than even chance of tackling Chelsea in midweek, the catalogue of injuries that have crippled the United squad this season is finally starting to ease.

Though his side are only just clinging on to Premiership leaders Chelsea, Ferguson is not giving up the fight just yet and the forthcoming cup ties will allow him to rest some senior stars ahead of the crucial trip to Anfield.

The likes of Chris Eagles, Kieran Richardson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and David Bellion are expected to be handed the responsibility of disposing of Exeter today as the 11-times winners face non-league opposition for the first time since 1953.

The man with most to gain from the visit of Steve Perryman's side is goalkeeper Tim Howard.

Aside from the meaningless Champions League trip to Fenerbache, the American has been limited to just Carling Cup appearances since being axed following his blunder against Lyon in September.

But with Roy Carroll back in the spotlight for his major involvement in the now infamous goal that never was, Howard knows he has a chance to force his way back into Ferguson's plans on a long term basis.

Over 9,000 Exeter fans are expected to make the trip North, ensuring yet another Old Trafford sell-out and gate receipts expected to net the cash-strapped Grecians over £500,000.