England midfielder Owen Hargreaves is close to a return to first team and Manchester United could be in the squad for the Champions League clash against AC Milan later this Month

Hargreaves has been since September 2008 due to tendinitis in both knees, the former Bayern Munich midfielder surgery on both knees in December 2008 and January 2009.

The 29-year-old has trained with the Manchester United first team and reserve side in recent weeks and his return would also be a major boost for England boss Fabio Capello.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: “I would like to see him make the team for the Champions League matches against AC Milan, but we will not rush him. We will be patient with his rehabilitation after knee surgery and he varied his training with the reserve team and first shifts in two days and then the rest of one days. ”

Manchester United manager added: “It is a matter of him regaining his confidence and if he is able to train every day, there will be time for him to return to game play.”