Neville still sidelined

Calf injury slows return

By Andrew Scurr   Last updated: 19th August 2007

Gary Neville Manchester United training

Neville: Calf problem

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Manchester United captain Gary Neville is still a couple of weeks away from returning to action.

The England defender was sidelined for the final two months of last season after damaging his ankle against Bolton in March.

Neville underwent surgery on his injured ankle and had hoped to be fit for the start of new season.

However, he has now been slowed by a calf problem which Sir Alex Ferguson says will keep him out for a further two weeks.

"It will be another couple of weeks," Ferguson confirmed. "We are frustrated with the situation because the operation was fine.

"The surgeons did find a few little bits in there which they had to repair as well, which meant a longer recovery period but then Gary suffered a little setback with a calf injury.

"That sometimes happens when you are trying to compensate after an operation. So the ankle is okay, now the calf is the problem."

Meanwhile, Ferguson is confident Wayne Rooney will return from a hairline fracture of his foot in around two months.

"It is only a hairline but with any kind of fracture, you have to make sure it is dealt with properly," the Scot added.

"It is always difficult to be accurate because everyone is different. I think he should be back playing in eight or nine weeks."