Sir Alex backs skipper's return

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Gary Neville can make a full recovery from the ankle injury that limited him to just one substitute appearance last season.

The United boss is under no illusions that it is going to be easy but feels his club skipper has got the resolve to return and fight for his place in the side.

“I’m hopeful Gary Neville can come back and I’m sure he can. At 33 it’s always difficult to have been out for a year, of course, but he’s such a determined character you wouldn’t bet against him coming back,” Ferguson stated.

Sir Alex also believes that the United captain has still got a lot to offer should he return to first team action this season.

“If he does, it’s another string to our bow really in terms of experience, which is important.”

Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand shared captaincy duties in Neville’s absence but Ferguson admitted if the right back returns the armband will be handed back to him.

“He is the captain of the club, and that will give him the incentive to return. He knows when he comes back, he’ll be captain again.”