• Premier League

Still no date for Fletcher's United return

ESPN staff
March 26, 2012
Darren Fletcher © PA Photos
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Darren Fletcher is targeting a return to action for Manchester United next season as he continues his battle with a chronic bowel disease.

The Scotland international has not played since November, shortly before he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, prompting fears his career could be over.

Fletcher is yet to return to training but has taken over some of the coaching responsibilities with the United reserve team after Paul Scholes came out of retirement.

The midfielder, who is taking an "indefinite break" from football, admitted he is yet to set a date for a return, or even when he will step up his recovery programme, but insisted he is happy to take as long as it takes.

"I'm still not ready to come back playing or training yet but I'm listening to the medical people and trying to get myself right," Fletcher told the BBC. "The challenge and the focus is to be ready for next season.

"Me and the medical team decided it'd be best if I tried to get myself right and take an extended period out from the game; then come back fully fit and ready to play.

"It's an unpredictable illness and you don't know what lies ahead of you. But I've got to keep staying strong and keep believing. That's an important side of it: positive thinking.

"I've received great support from everyone in Scotland and down in Manchester. I'm hopeful and really positive that I'll be back and back to my best."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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