Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is set to receive a huge boost with the return of two of his biggest stars. Dutch defender Jaap Stam and striker Andy Cole will be back playing next week following their extended absences through injury.
The Racecourse ground will be the scene of their long-awaited return to action. Manchester United take on Wrexham on January 4in a specially arranged friendly during which other injury victims Mark Bosnich, Ronny Johnsen and David May will make appearances.
Sir Alex has seen his side stretch their Premiership lead to eight points over the festive period and will be backing them to go from strength to strength with the return of key players.
United's have shown in the past that they reserve their best for the second half of the season.
The FA Cup will throw up an extra challenge this season and Ferguson hinted that his returning stars could be in contention for the third round tie against Fulham.
Jaap Stam hasn't appeared in a United shirt since he went under the knife to cure an Achilles tendon problem back in September, whilst Cole's prolific run was halted when it became clear that he too would require an operation for a similar problem.
Ferguson said: "Stam goes to see a specialist on January 3 to get the all clear - and we expect he'll get that so he'll play the next day.
"He has already been doing training with us and he has been doing really terrific.
"We've arranged the game for Stam, Cole, Johnsen, May and Bosnich at Wrexham. It's a game we are looking for to get them back on track.
"It's the first step back and then we've got the FA Cup on the Sunday (January 7) with Fulham. Will any of them play? You never know. It depends how we are placed. Who knows?"
|
