• Premier League

Rooney back as Cleverley returns for United

ESPN staff
February 3, 2012
Tom Cleverley has not played since October © Getty Images
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Sir Alex Ferguson has been boosted by the news that Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young and Nani are all available for Manchester United's Premier League clash against Chelsea on Sunday, with Tom Cleverley in the squad for the first time since October.

Rooney and Nani missed United's FA Cup defeat to Liverpool and league win over Stoke in midweek with foot injuries but returned to training this week and are expected to start.

Cleverley, who has been out of action since October, will travel with the squad but is unlikely to feature. Meanwhile Young, also out with a foot injury since December, is available for selection.

"We're a bit better in terms of injuries," Ferguson said. "We hope Wayne Rooney, Nani, Tom Cleverley and Ashley Young will all be in the squad. It's more likely Tom will play against Chelsea Reserves on Monday, but he'll travel. Rooney and Nani have trained for the last two days."

However, Ferguson confirmed Anders Lindegaard would be sidelined for at least four weeks with an ankle injury. David De Gea is expected to return after missing the midweek win over Stoke.

"It looks like Lindegaard will be out for at least four weeks, maybe five to six, with ankle ligament damage," Ferguson said. "We don't know what his recovery from injuries is like, so we'll have to wait and see, but I would have thought at least four weeks."

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