Fergie welcomes Scholes return

Scholes: Unlikely to play Sunday

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has expressed his delight at midfielder Paul Scholes' return to full training.

The former England international has been out of action since October after undergoing an operation on damaged knee ligaments.

Ferguson has hinted Scholes is unlikely to start in this weekend's FA Cup clash against Spurs, although he could still win a place on the substitutes' bench.

Should Scholes assume a watching brief against the North Londoners, Ferguson is hoping to have him available for next week's Premier League clash with Portsmouth.

"Paul Scholes starts his training today at a competitive level," Ferguson told Sky Sports News. "His rehabilitation is going fantastically well.

Perfectly okay

"He's been training fantastic the last four weeks on the physical side. That is all perfectly okay.

"I don't think he'll be involved on Sunday, but he is a consideration because he's such a great player.

"He could be on the bench but it depends on how he comes through today.

"Other then that I'm sure he'll be involved in Wednesday's game against Portsmouth."

United's only other injury worry is striker Louis Saha and Ferguson is hoping to have him fit and available inside two weeks.

"Louis Saha is starting to do his football training now. He should be ready from about ten days from now."