Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is moving closer to a return from injury, manager Louis van Gaal has said.
England international Rooney has taken part in two training sessions with the first team and will play for the club's under-21 side against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on Monday.
He has not played since suffering a knee injury that was diagnosed after he had played 90 minutes against Sunderland on Feb 13.
Van Gaal said: "His recovery is going very well. He has trained with us two times, but he has to build up fitness."
The return of Rooney is also positive news for England manager Roy Hodgson, who will hope that he can regain sharpness ahead of Euro 2016.
United face Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Sunday, which is followed by an FA Cup replay at home to West Ham on Wednesday.
Winger Ashley Young and Phil Jones are back in contention for selection by United, having both played for the under-21s in a 1-1 draw against Chelsea earlier this week.
But Van Gaal said: "Yes, they are more or less fit players -- but you cannot be fit after one game at a lower level.
"We have a big squad now, we are training with 26 people, and we have to adapt to that new situation again, but it is very promising now.
"There was a time when I could select only the fit players, but now with all the youngsters who have proven they are capable of playing, and all those coming back, I have a bigger squad."
Adnan Januzaj is out with a hamstring problem, but it is not thought to be serious.