[mikeytim]

Gary Neville will travel with United’s first-team squad for the Reds’ trip to Middlesbrough on Sunday.

Club captain Neville hasn’t featured for Sir Alex’s side since March 2007, when an injury against Bolton Wanderers forced him from the field. Neville was plagued by further bad luck when the 33-year-old suffered a series of minor knocks during the recovery process.

“It’s been over a year since Gary’s last game,” Sir Alex told the UK media at Carrington on Friday. “That isn’t easy at his age but what always encouraged us was his enthusiasm to return.”

Indeed, Neville has impressed in a number of outings for the Reserves in recent weeks, most recently in Monday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United. Now Neville will return to the North East for the second time in a week as the Reds look to take three vital points off Gareth Southgate’s side.

Good to see him back after such a long lay off. Would be nice for him to get a bit of a run out.

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