Neville Return Delayed

Gary Neville does not think he can return to first-team action this season.

Fortunately, the skipper did not suffer another injury, no more setbacks: it's just that he is not sharp enough yet.

"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," he 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."

Unfortunately his points are valid and many supporters made them many times. He should have come back earlier to play any part this season but this was made impossible by all the setbacks.

The odds are heavily stacked against him now though at 33 he's hardly old yet. But it's difficult to imagine him coming back and doing the job he had done before this terrible ordeal. Of course, there's always the example of Ole to look at...