Premiership: Duo ready for United return

Skipper Roy Keane and French star Laurent Blanc are ready to return for Manchester United as they face Tottenham at Old Trafford tomorrow night.

Keane missed Sunday’s draw at Derby after picking up a knee injury during last week’s Champions League clash with Nantes while Blanc went down with flu.

Their return will force Sir Alex Ferguson into making changes to the side held 2-2 at Pride Park.

David Beckham, Juan Sebastian Veron, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs were Sunday’s midfield quartet and either record signing Veron or Scholes look the likely candidates to stand down.

In defence, Norwegian Ronny Johnsen came in for his first game since September and Denis Irwin played at right-back.

With Phil Neville also challenging for a place, both could move to the bench for the crucial game.

Ferguson may decide to use Blanc and Johnsen as his central partnership with Gary Neville also in contention for a right-back place.

Up front there could be more changes with Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan on the verge of his first start. The United boss said last week he was ready to promote the 21-year-old to his starting line-up as he looks for an opportunity to rest leading scorer van Nistelrooy.