Rooney to return for Spurs clash

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Wayne Rooney will return to Manchester United’s side as they travel to Tottenham this weekend.

The striker missed United’s Premier League game at Norwich last weekend and England’s midweek friendly against the Netherlands but has returned to training this week and is expected to feature at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Ferguson said that Chris Smalling would be assessed on Saturday after picking up a head injury in the Wembley game but Antonio Valencia and Tom Cleverley will not make the trip south.

“Rooney is fit and trained all week, Cleverley and Valencia are still out,” Ferguson said.

“There’s no concussion but he’s (Smalling) got quite a nasty cut. Whether we can patch it up, I’m not quite sure. We need to tread carefully and see what he’s like tomorrow.”

The Red Devils boss also revealed that Michael Owen has returned to training but maintained the Spurs clash has come too soon for the veteran striker.

“Hopefully the lad will have a bit of luck, he’s not had much at all. When he has an injury it always seems to be a long one. Hopefully he’ll be back for the rest of the season, which will help us,” Ferguson said.

The 70-year-old is expecting a tough game at White Hart Lane as Harry Redknapp’s side look to cling on to their faint hopes of a title challenge.

“Tottenham is always a tremendous highlight for us,” Ferguson said.

“It’s always a tremendous game given the history of both clubs. It’s a very important game for us.”

“Look at the rest of the season. You can certainly say we’re building up to what could turn out to be a title decider with Manchester City.”

“This is our hardest away game, no doubt. Hopefully we can navigate it.”

“Harry Redknapp’s added lot of players and changed things around. Kyle Walker is a tremendous full back. He has great pace going forward and there’s pace on the other side from Gareth Bale, while Rafael van der Vaart has cleverness off the front.”

“As for Luca Modric, everyone realises what a tremendous player he is. So it’s a team full of talent and they’re having a great season.”