Neville nearing return for Utd

Gary Neville is ready to make his comeback for Manchester United after being out of action since April.

The England full-back, who missed the World Cup with a broken foot, played the whole of last night’s reserve game against Liverpool and, provided there are no after-effects, will be drafted in to the squad for tomorrow’s home clash with Tottenham.

Neville’s return could cost Waterford youngster John O’Shea his place in the side and that is possibly the only change Alex Ferguson is contemplating to the side which beat Maccabi Haifa 5-2 in the Champions League in midweek.

Nicky Butt is ruled out as he recovers from a bruised hip and Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Wes Brown also miss out through injury.

Ferguson has to check on the fitness of Ruud van Nistelrooy before confirming his side with the Dutchman having treatment after being kicked on the calf on Wednesday.

Man Utd (provisional): Barthez, G Neville, Blanc, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Beckham, Veron, P Neville, Giggs, Solskjaer, Van Nistelrooy, Forlan, O’Shea, Pugh, Chadwick, Tierney, May, Ricardo.