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Scholes set for surprise return

03/12/2008

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that midfielder Paul Scholes could make an early comeback from his knee injury against Blackburn Rovers tonight.

The 34-year-old was expected to be out until around the turn of the year after suffering knee ligament damage during United's 3-0 win over Aalborg in the Champions League on September 30th.

However, in his programme notes ahead of this evening, Ferguson revealed he is considering including the veteran among the substitutes for the Carling Cup quarter-final clash with Rovers at Old Trafford.

"I have Paul Scholes in mind [for tonight]," the manager said.

"He is on the verge of playing again following his knee injury and operation. He is training well and is chomping at the bit to get started.

"So a place on the bench with perhaps a few minutes' pitch time could be good for him. We'll see how things go."

Despite admitting he may use the match to give Scholes some much-needed game time, Ferguson added that he will persevere with fielding several of his younger players in the League Cup competition - as appears to be the norm now with Premier League sides involved in European competition.

"Although we are now into the quarter-finals, I intend to stay with the young ones who have got us this far," he continued.

"Players like Jonny Evans, Rafael, Darron Gibson, Rodrigo Possebon and Danny Welbeck [will all be involved]."