Neville back in the frame

Gary Neville may find himself back in United's first-team squad when the Reds welcome Middlesbrough to Old Trafford.

A series of injuries have forced the Reds' captain to miss more than seven months' action, but Sir Alex told English press on Friday that Neville, 32, has regained full fitness and trained without incident for more than two weeks.

The United boss told Manchester United Radio of his desire to reintroduce Neville to first-team action, although he admitted a Reserves run-out is perhaps more realistic at this stage.

"Gary's doing great," Sir Alex said. "We'll probably just wait for the next Reserves game to play him. But I've got him in the squad so he can be involved again. [On Saturday I imagine] he'll train in the morning and then join up with us in the afternoon."

Neville, also speaking to the club's radio station, said he can't wait to take the field again, although concedes he may have a difficult time forcing his way back into the side. "I've made myself available," he confirmed. "But with the way Wes [Brown] is playing – and Danny Simpson has been great, too – it might be a case of easing me back in over the space of a couple of weeks."

His injury nightmares began when he picked up an ankle knock against Bolton Wanderers in March. At the time, it was hoped he would return in time to skipper United against Chelsea in last season's FA Cup final. That date came and went, before calf and thigh injuries further delayed his return.

"It's been too long," he sighs."Missing the end of last season was bad enough but then for it to go into this season is doubly frustrating. Hopefully it's over now and I can get back into the team.

"The worst part about it has been going into the gym every day. It's okay for a couple of weeks but after that it's just mundane and boring. The physios try to make it as exciting as possible for you, but there's only so much excitement you can get out of a rowing machine or a bike.

"Most of all, I miss going out on the pitch. I'm seeing the lads playing well and they're getting good results and I want to be part of it. Coming in every day and then not being able to train with my mates is hard. An hour and a half on the training pitch flies by, but an hour and a half in the gym can feel like three days."

Neville is unlikely to play on Saturday, but he knows exactly what United are up against. "Middlesbrough have always been well prepared at Old Trafford. Bryan Robson and Steve McClaren both knew the strengths of United inside out, which meant they were always a little better prepared than other teams who came here. Gareth Southgate will have learnt a little from Steve and they'll set their stall out to make it difficult.

"We've had some tricky moments against them, although Saturday is just another game we have to win. If we play as we did against Aston Villa and Dynamo Kyiv, it's going to be very difficult for Middlesbrough. Teams can't contain us when we're playing at full speed."