Manchester United striker Michael Owen is set to make a return from his latest injury setback in time for the hectic festive schedule.
The 30-year-old striker picked up a hamstring problem in training at the end of October and had previously not featured for the Old Trafford side since being substituted in the goalless draw with Sunderland on 2 October.
Owen had been expected to feature for the Red Devils in their League Cup tie against Wolves on 27 October but Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed the former England international had sustained “a different muscle injury” in training which ruled him out for over a month.
And Ferguson believes the former Real Madrid forward should be fit in time for the busy Christmas period. “He is doing very well,” he said. “He took part in the football side of it yesterday.”
He added: “I would say he’s two weeks away [from playing]. We need to make sure he does a good stint of football training before we bring him into the games.”
Meanwhile, the Scottish manager has confirmed that Owen Hargreaves is not close to a return to action. Hargreaves, 29, started his first league match for over two years against Wolves in early October but the Canadian-born midfielder lasted just five minutes before being substituted with a hamstring complaint.
Ferguson said it was unclear when the ex-Bayern Munich star would return. “It’s a bad blow for the lad and it’s hard to take, given the length of time he’s been out and the amount of football he’s missed,” he said.