Wayne Rooney set to return for Manchester United

The England striker, who has not played for a month after suffering a severely gashed thigh against Fulham, is likely to return against Newcastle United.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney. Patrik Stollarz / AFP

England striker Wayne Rooney, who has not played for a month after suffering a severely gashed thigh against Fulham, is likely to return for Manchester United this week.

Rooney's leg was badly cut in an accidental clash with Fulham forward Hugo Rodallega at Old Trafford on August 25 but he could play against Newcastle United in the League Cup or against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday.

"He is not far away," manager Sir Alex Ferguson told reporters. "He's doing a lot of great training and has been working hard."

Darren Fletcher, who was out for almost 10 months with a chronic bowel complaint, made his comeback as a substitute in last week's Champions League game against Galatasaray and will again feature in the League Cup third round tie.

"He will certainly play against Newcastle," said Ferguson. "That is a perfect game for him.

"Then we have the game against Tottenham and he possibly could be involved in that depending on how he does on Wednesday."

Scotland captain Fletcher must live with his incurable bowel condition but Ferguson said he was managing the situation well.

"He's handling the conditions at the moment and he looks fine as we saw the other night," said the United manager.

"It's a matter of hoping the condition stays dormant. He's handling his diet well and doing all the right things so hopefully he gets that break he needs."

Elsewhere, the former Germany international Thomas Hitzlsperger is training with Everton with a view to getting a contract with the Premier League side.

Hitzlsperger, 30, has been without a club since leaving Wolfsburg at the end of last season but has Premier League experience following spells with West Ham and Aston Villa.

"I have been very pleased with him," said Everton assistant boss Steve Round.

"Thomas is a long way off playing but we have given him the opportunity to come in and it is up to him now. We will assess him over the next couple of weeks.

"He seems a really good lad and I don't think I have seen him without a smile on his face.

"What will determine whether he gets a contract is his fitness. He has had a bad injury and we would want to see that he could sustain training.

"If he could do that, he would add quality and strength to our squad. He has got a history of playing at the highest level."