Gary Neville will make his long-awaited comeback for Manchester United against Stockport County this evening. Neville has not played since suffering an ankle injury in the champions' Premier League win over Bolton in March.

His recovery has been hampered by thigh and calf problems, forcing Sir Alex Ferguson to delay his intended return on a number of occasions. However, the 32-year-old will figure in the Manchester Senior Cup clash at Northwich.

Even if Neville comes through without a problem, he is unlikely to be part of the United squad for Saturday's heavyweight confrontation with league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

However, he may be handed a place on the bench for next week's Champions League tie with Dynamo Kiev at Old Trafford, or the home encounter with in-form Blackburn Rovers the following weekend.

Ferguson will not be the only manager monitoring Neville's fitness with interest as Micah Richards, his rival for England's right-back berth, is due to have a scan on a knee injury that saw him stretchered off during Manchester City's Carling Cup win at Bolton last night.