Fletcher hopeful of returning next season

Manchester United’s Darren Fletcher is optimistic he will be able to make his comeback from a chronic bowel condition next season.

The midfielder has not played since November 22 due to a condition known as ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease.

Fletcher, 27, is still to return to training and has instead taken over some of the coaching responsibilities Paul Scholes abandoned when he came out of retirement.

There is still no precise date for when Fletcher will step up his recovery programme.

Fletcher said: “The challenge and the focus is to be ready for next season.’’