Neville first-team return could be delayed

Gary Neville admits he may not make his return to the Manchester United first team until next season.

The Old Trafford club captain has not appeared for United since suffering an ankle injury against Bolton over a year ago.

Neville is back in full training and has played three reserve team matches since the turn of the year.

But with United chasing a league and European Cup double, he admits this is not the best time for manager Alex Ferguson to ease him back into the fold.

“I’ve played three times for the reserves since the turn of the year and this is the longest run I’ve been on in terms of training and playing games,” Neville told Manchester United Radio.

“It’s going to take time for me to get back to full match sharpness after being out for so long. I’m probably a little bit away from first-team sharpness but the only way I’ll get that is by continuing to train with the first team.

“Hopefully I’ll get a game somewhere but that could prove difficult with the significance of the matches we have over the next few weeks. I just have to hope and pray that I get my chance at some point.

“Usually when you’re coming back from injury there’s an opportunity to throw you back into the side – maybe in one of the cup competitions – but every game’s so important now.”

Over the next month, United face key league games against Arsenal and Chelsea plus Roma in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.