Fergie - Owen ready to play

United boss expects midfielder to feature in next game

Last updated: 12th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fergie - Owen ready to play

Hargreaves: Set to return

He has to play in the next game because he is ready to play.

Sir Alex Ferguson.
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Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Owen Hargreaves is ready to return to action with Manchester United's reserve side.

The England international was due to end his near-18 month absence following surgery on both knees in a second string meeting with Manchester City on Thursday night.

But Old Trafford officials revealed on Wednesday that the midfielder would not feature, as the scheduled fixture interfered with his training regime.

Ferguson has now moved to clarify the situation, explaining that Hargreaves in fact went to see a specialist for the latest update.

Ready

And with the verdict positive, Ferguson believes an end to the 29-year-old's lengthy spell on the sidelines is in sight.

"Owen went to see a specialist yesterday (Thursday)," said the United boss.

"There is nothing wrong and the idea is for him to play in the next game.

"He has to play in the next game because he is ready to play."

United's reserve side is next due in action on Thursday, when they entertain Burnley at Altrincham's Moss Lane ground.