SOCCER: Gary Neville will miss Tuesday's Champions League trip to Inter Milan but Alex Ferguson expects the Manchester United skipper to be involved in next weekend's Carling Cup final.

Neville signed a one-year contract extension earlier today but will miss tomorrow’s Premier League encounter with Blackburn, plus the San Siro visit, after picking up a minor niggle having originally contracted a virus.

However, the veteran full-back seems certain to figure at Wembley next Sunday, when United tackle Tottenham in the first major domestic showpiece of the season.

“Gary is back training now,” boss Ferguson told MUTV. “He is doing all the physical work now and will be into football training on Monday so he will be available for the Carling Cup final.”

Meanwhile, Ferguson refuted suggestions Danny Welbeck had been dumped into the reserves on Wednesday night as punishment for his elaborate goal celebration at Derby last weekend.

Instead, it transpired the England Under-21 star played against Wigan’s second string purely to keep his fitness up before he also joins the United squad for what will be his first appearance in a major final.

“Danny Welbeck had to play with the reserves because I had Wayne Rooney back and the boy was needing football,” said the United boss.

“He did very well against Derby and then played the full game against Wigan reserves and scored two goals.

“He will also be available for the Carling Cup final.”

The situation with Anderson is not quite so clear cut.

Earlier this week Ferguson stated it would be “weeks” before the Brazilian returned to duty after suffering an ankle injury against Derby last month.

The prognosis is not so bad now, although it will still be touch and go whether Anderson is fit to face Spurs.

“He could be a substitute,” said Ferguson. “He is just doing light stuff with the first team. He is doing more physical work and combining that with a bit of football.

“One more week and he will be back with us properly.”