No Neville return yet

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Neville missed the final two months of last season after undergoing ankle surgery and was expected to be fit for the new campaign, but boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed the 32-year-old is now recovering from a calf strain.

The Scot explained: "It will be another couple of weeks. We are frustrated with the situation because the operation was fine."

He added: "The surgeons did find a few little bits in there which they had to repair as well, which meant a longer recovery period but then Gary suffered a little setback with a calf injury.

"That sometimes happens when you are trying to compensate after an operation. So the ankle is okay, now the calf is the problem."

A further fortnight on the sidelines rules Neville out of the forthcoming Barclays Premier League fixtures against Tottenham and Sunderland and, in all probability, England's Euro 2008 double-header against Israel and Russia in September.

Meanwhile, Ferguson restated his belief Wayne Rooney should be back in action within 'eight or nine weeks' after suffering a hairline fracture of the foot in Sunday's opening-day draw at Reading.

The England star is resigned to missing up to 12 key games for club and country, including the start of United's Champions League campaign.

However, Ferguson confirmed the injury does not appear to be as serious as Rooney's previous two broken metatarsals and is optimistic about the 21-year-old's recovery time.

"It is only a hairline bit with any kind of fracture, you have to make sure it is dealt with properly. It is always difficult to be accurate because everyone is different. I think he should be back playing in eight or nine weeks."