Manchester United fullback Gary Neville is nearing a first team return.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says Neville is now "not far away" from a return having featured again for the reserves yesterday.

Neville has been out for a year with a series of groin and ankle problems.

Mikael Silvestre, out since September with a knee injury, also stepped up his comeback with a 75-minute run-out for the second string.