Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic on course for an early return from injury

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic could be back in first-team action this week, after returning to training following a knee injury.

The Serb defender has been out since mid-September after undergoing surgery on the injury and was expected to be ruled out until Christmas.

However, manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Friday in a news conference ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game at Reading that the 31-year-old is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation.

“Vidic has started training which is good news. I wouldn’t be adverse to playing him on Wednesday (against Cluj in the Champions League),” he said.

However wingers Nani and Antonio Valencia are still injured, with hamstring and hip problems respectively.

“Nani and Valencia are still out. Nani could be 4-5 weeks. It’s a hamstring problem – you have to take your time with them,” he continued.

“Antonio should be fit for next week. He’s got a hip injury which is painful but is getting better.”