Shinji Kagawa to hand Manchester United fitness boost with training return

Dec 14, 2012 2:10:00 PM

The midfielder has recovered from a knee injury and is closing in on a return to first-team action whilst Nemanja Vidic returns to the squad but Jonny Evans misses out

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that midfielder Shinji Kagawa is due back in full training next week and is “doing very well”.

The summer signing from Borussia Dortmund has not featured for the Red Devils since picking up a knee injury in the Champions League win over Braga back in October.

However, the Japan international appears to be closing in on a return to action with Sir Alex Ferguson confirming his recovery is going well.

"Shinji should start training with the first team on Monday, which is good news," he told reporters in his pre-match press conference.

"He’s doing very well now. Nani is still out. Rio’s okay, there’s no problem with him. We’re more or less in good shape.”

There was further good news for the league leaders as Nemanja Vidic has also returned to fitness and will be included in Saturday's squad to face Sunderland at Old Trafford.

"Nemanja is back in the squad tomorrow but Jonny Evans is out obviously after his injury last week," added Sir Alex.

"He got the injury midway through the first half and he struggled on to half-time but I always think with muscle injuries that if you start the second half with it it’s a problem.

"Chris Smalling came on and did very well, played excellent. But having Vidic back in the squad is a big, big one for us. My only issue is whether to start him or not. We hope we have given Nemanja the proper rehabilitation.

“We’ll give him a chance and we hope he sails through it but I don’t know whether he will start. He’s only played 10 games in the last 12 month which is not like Nemanja.”

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