Ferguson boosted by Saha return

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes the return of Louis Saha from injury could be crucial.

The Frenchman has been troubled by hamstring and knee injuries since February but is now back in training and closing on a first-team return. With Wayne Rooney out with a broken foot and Cristiano Ronaldo suspended, United are in desperate need of goals, having scored only once so far this season.

big loss

Saha may make the bench as United host Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Sunday.

"Louis is an out-and-out front player," said Ferguson. "He has pace and power and if he had continued playing throughout last season he might have scored 30.

"He was a big loss to us in the second half of the season because we just never got him back out on the field. But he has been doing well in training over the last two weeks and it will be a big boost to have him back."