Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson could hand Shinji Kagawa a place on the substitutes' bench for Manchester United's Premier League encounter with West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

The Japan international has been absent since injuring his knee in October but managed a solo training session at Old Trafford ahead of United's Boxing Day triumph over Newcastle and Ferguson is considering naming him in his squad for the West Brom game.

"He wanted to do a warm-up on Wednesday and we will see what he is like," said Ferguson.

"I could put him on the bench tomorrow. It depends on who we have available."