• Premier League

Hargreaves rejoins United's first-team training

ESPN staff
March 25, 2010
Owen Hargreaves has been withdrawn from Manchester United's reserve fixture © Getty Images
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Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves is to return to first-team training as he prepares to come back into the side for the run-in.

Hargreaves has missed the last 18 months through injury and had to undergo double knee surgery to cure a tendonitis problem, but he made his return for the reserves last week and was due to face Burnley at Accrington on Thursday night.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson has now revealed the player has been withdrawn from that match as he steps up preparations for his first-team return.

"Owen won't play for the reserves tonight," he told the club's official website on Thursday. "He's going to be training with the first team and we'll see where that takes him.

"We're keen to get him back involved because he's an experienced player and will be a valuable addition for us in the run-in, when having a strong, fit squad is vital."

Hargreaves, who has not been registered for the Champions League, recently indicated that he was keen to secure a place in the England squad for the World Cup but revealed doubts earlier this week about the scale of his recovery.

"I wouldn't say I am pain free and I don't know if I can play through it," he said. "My training has improved over the last weeks and that is a very positive sign for me. I believe that it will continue to improve and progress.

"But I am still in the process of getting some injections to try to manage the pain because if I didn't have any I would have played at the beginning of the season."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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