TEAM NEWS: RVP, Kagawa Fit as Fletcher Returns
Both picked up knocks on international duty this week with Kagawa hurting his back whilst Van Persie suffered a thigh injury, but both injuries appear to be minor complaints as Sir Alex looks set to include them in the squad to face Wigan at Old Trafford tomorrow.
There was further good news as Sir Alex confirmed that Darren Fletcher will also be included in the squad to face Roberto Martinez’s side. Fletcher has been out since last December with a bowel condition but has stepped up his efforts to get fit over the past few weeks.
First appearing in a friendly against Aberdeen, the Scottish midfielder has completed 90 minutes on a number of occasions and Sir Alex believes being named in the squad tomorrow will give Fletcher a boost as he continues on the road to recovery.
In regards to other injuries, Phil Jones is set to miss 8-10 weeks after undergoing surgery last week on a knee injury whilst Chris Smalling will start training at the end of the month having missed the start of the season with a broken metatarsal.
“On the injury front, everyone’s fit, apart from the ones we know about – Jones and Smalling.
“Jones was a bad blow for us. He got an injury in training last weekend and he’ll be out for eight to 10 weeks.
“We expect Smalling to be back training by the end of the month. There’s a little bit of comfort in that sense, given our centre-back situation. But with Jonny [Evans] back we’re in a better position than we were a couple of weeks ago.
“Darren’s in the squad tomorrow, simply because I think it will give him a boost. It’s a chance to progress. At this moment in time everything’s going fine for him.”