Manchester United defender Gary Neville is set to return to action in a reserve match this week.

Neville has been sidelined with calf and ankle problems since United's Premier League clash against Bolton on St Patrick's Day.

He had been expected to be fit for the start of the season but suffered a series of setbacks and only resumed full training late last month.

Neville has now been pencilled in for Thursday's reserve game between United and Liverpool, and Ferguson is glad to have him back.

The United manager said: "We are hoping to use Gary against Liverpool reserves this week. That's the plan.  He is getting better and he is improving all the time.

"He's over his last injury and he has been training now for over two weeks and he is at a good level.  Because he has been out for so long, he needs games now and hopefully he can start on Thursday.

"It will be a good introduction for him game-wise."

If Neville comes through the game unscathed he could be back in contention for a first-team place once the international break is over.