Brown’s recovery boosts United

WES BROWN could be back in Manchester United’s colours at the beginning of next month. The 24-year-old defender different is now doing “bits of training” as he continues his recovery after damaging knee ligaments.

Brown suffered the injury on the final day of last season when United clinched the title.

His return to Carrington is a bonus for manager Alex Ferguson, because Rio Ferdinand has a potential suspension hanging over him.

"Wes started doing bits of training with the young players last week," Ferguson said.

"He will be continuing with that as well.

"He is making quicker progress than we expected.

"We anticipated it would be the new year before we could think about a comeback but now we hope we can bring that forward.

"I think we will now be looking for a reserve match for him at the beginning of the next month.

"If all goes well I could have him in the first-team squad for the festive period.

"It is smashing news, and we are all pleased because he's had a tough time."

Meanwhile, Gary Neville is struggling to be fit for the match against Blackburn on Saturday after suffering a recurrence of an Achilles problem.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger yesterday revealed his belief that defender Philippe Senderos and on-loan forward Michal Papadopulos can be "a force" for the first team later this season after recovering from injury.

Wenger watched the young duo make their reserve-team debuts last night at Barnet FC and is now hoping they will go on to make the breakthrough to strengthen his depleted first-team squad.

Emerging Swiss centre-back Senderos, who signed for Arsenal this summer despite interest from Manchester United, fell victim to a bout of back inflammation after taking part in a number of pre-season friendlies.

Papadopulos, meanwhile, has been forced to receive treatment on a knee injury since signing on loan from Czech Republic side Banik Ostrava.

Both players nevertheless came through the first half of last night's game, with Papadopulos scoring a powerful header before the duo were substituted in a pre-planned move.

Wenger said: "Philippe Senderos hasn't played for almost five months. We were really concerned because he had a big problem.

"So it is good to see him back. That goes for Papadopulos as well. We have taken him [on loan] because he is very committed and very good in air.

"We have seen that in this game, even if he is still short of fitness.

"They looked a little bit rusty but two or three games will do them good.

"I feel they could be a force for us in the second part of the season."