Carrick on way back - Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson expects Michael Carrick to return to first-team training on Monday for Manchester United.

The England international has been carrying a foot injury since the 2-1 Premier League defeat by bitter rivals Liverpool on September 13 and has missed six games in all competitions since.

Ferguson had hoped to see the midfielder back in training yesterday, but Carrick, who will miss the visit of West Brom to Old Trafford on Saturday and Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday, will instead resume full participation at the beginning of next week.

"Michael Carrick's progressing well," said Ferguson at his Friday press conference.

"We hoped he'd join [the first team-squad on Thursday] but he didn't quite make it. He'll join us on Monday.

"It'll be too early for the Celtic game though. But we know he's on his way back and that's a good thing."