Gary Neville has insisted he will recover from the injury that has left him sidelined for 11 months. The 32-year-old has not played a competitive first-team game for Manchester United since he damaged ankle ligaments in March 2007, playing against Bolton Wanderers, followed by a run of niggling injuries preventing him from forcing his way into the side.

His prolonged absence has fueled speculation he has played the last of his 543 appearances for United. “The fact I’ve been out for so long brings about speculation regarding whether or not I’ll make it back," Neville said. "I understand that.

“Ironically my ankle has been okay for the last couple of months, I’ve just picked up little knocks here and there that have lasted a couple of weeks or so; they can really set you back when you’ve been out for so long.”

But the Manchester United captain is not naming a date for his return. “I’m training again and I am focused on getting fit," he said. "I’m not going to put a timescale on it or name a game when I’ll be back. Once I get fit, and I’m doing the best I can to get to that point, I’ve no doubts I’ll be okay.”