Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher is edging closer to a comeback.
The Scotland international is on the verge of returning to action after being ruled out with a virus since the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at the start of March.
It provides some much-needed good news for manager Sir Alex Ferguson after Wayne Rooney's two-match ban for his Upton Park outburst last week.
Ferguson expects Fletcher to play a key role in the heart of his midfield as United enter the vital stage of the campaign.
He has always considered him a player for the biggest occasion and largely blamed defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League final of 2009 on the 27-year-old being suspended for that match.
"He's put some weight back on," said Ferguson. "That's good news. His progress isn't bad now."
