Hargreaves 'to play a part' against West Brom

Owen Hargreaves could be set to return for Manchester United against West Brom at the weekend, after his surgeon Dr Richard Steadman claimed he would 'play a part' in the game.

Hargreaves has not started for United for over two years after he was struck down by an acute form of tendinitis in his knees, which he first experienced during his time at Bayern Munich.

Two operations and an extensive period of rehabilitation followed, but he suffered a relapse after completing 45 minutes in a reserve game at the end of the 2009-10 season and did not make his long-awaited comeback.
Having been sent to Colorado to undergo treatment with Dr Richard Steadman - who has built his reputation rescuing the careers of players like Ruud van Nistelrooy, who have had ruptured cruciate ligaments - Hargreaves' first-team return is now looming fast.

''Owen should play some part on Saturday,'' Steadman told BBC Sport. ''Our physical therapist, Luke O'Brien, has been working very closely with United's coaches on his rehab.

''It's been a long road back and there have been some setbacks along the way. But I've got a lot of admiration for the way Owen has responded - he's worked very hard and has never given up. Things are looking good for him now.''

Hargreaves has been omitted from United's 25-man Champions League squad and will be targeting the club's Carling Cup tie with Wolves on October 26 to make a full return to the side.

Source: ESPN Soccernet