Owen Hargreaves is set to make his long-awaited return from injury in Manchester United's Premier League match against West Brom on Saturday.

The 29-year-old midfielder has not started a match since September 2008 because of a chronic knee problem.

"Owen should play some part on Saturday," the player's knee surgeon Dr Richard Steadman told BBC Sport.

"Our physical therapist, Luke O'Brien, has been working very closely with United's coaches on his rehab."

England international Hargreaves underwent surgery on each of his knees at Steadman's clinic in Vail, Colorado, in 2008 and his recovery has been beset by problems.

His last appearance for United came in May, when he played for the final three minutes of the Premier League match against Sunderland.

Hargreaves was expected to be fit for the start of this season but suffered a setback during the summer and had to return to Colorado for further work with Steadman.

The surgeon conceded: "It's been a long road back and there have been some setbacks along the way.

"But I've got a lot of admiration for the way Owen has responded - he's worked very hard and has never given up. Things are looking good for him now."

Hargreaves joined United from Bayern Munich in July 2007 but his last start for the Old Trafford outfit came in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea in September 2008.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez expects on-loan Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley to be recalled early in the new year.

The England Under 21 international, who helped the Young Lions book their place in next summer's European Championship on Tuesday, is on a season-long loan deal at the DW Stadium.

However, United can ask for their player to return under the terms of the contract, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson hinting last week that a January recall was on the cards.

And Martinez feels that scenario is likely as the Red Devils look to plug the gap left by injured midfielder Antonio Valencia.

Recall

"Obviously the injury to Antonio Valencia has increased the chance of Tom going back to United," Martinez told the Wigan Evening Post.

"There has been no contact between the two sides, but it is only natural what is occurring because Tom is such a good player.

"We all know how highly United rate Tom - that's why we had to do everything we could to get him here in the first place.

"I have always said that we have to enjoy him for every day he is here - just as we want Tom to enjoy being here at Wigan Athletic. And that's all that matters, for however long that period might be.

"It's only a matter of time before Tom is playing at the very top level with United. It's not if, but when."

Cleverley has endured a frustrating start to his career with the Latics, sustaining a knee injury in training which has restricted his involvement.

But after proving his fitness while representing England, the 21-year-old is back in contention for Wigan's trip to Newcastle on Sunday.

Injury

"Tom has played very well for the England Under 21s and has suffered no after-effects to the injury he suffered last month," added Martinez.

"We have all seen him in training and you can see by the way he behaves around the place that he is going to be a top, top footballer. And he will be.

"He will be in contention for the Newcastle game but, from then on, whatever will be will be."

more like a failure from brazilian in EPL history

samba football+english style of football often means fail

that anderson story about wanting to leave is from "the sun". Not sure its legit. Most probably some bulls.h.i.t reporter trying to create some mischief. Ando been selected quite often since he recovered from his injury. Still, everytime he is subbed off during a game, hate to see his face, looks like he stepped on poop or sumthing.

Anderson doesn't seem to be energetic in the final minutes of the game.
It has been like this for the past few seasons.

He isn't as 90 minutes ready as Fletcher and others if you ask me.

what he is good at is upper body strength, he is very very good.
sometimes once in a blue moon, some killer pass too.

i guess we still havent get to see the best of him yet.

more like a failure from brazilian in EPL history

samba football+english style of football often means fail

hate to see his face, looks like he stepped on poop or sumthing.

gilberto silva has some very good seasons in arsenal 

there's him,but i didn't see any brazillian that can carve their name in EPL as much as at the la liga and serie A(english football style is just too fast,physical and direct for them)

someone got ramirez weii... and lucas 

To those who have been to OT to watch Man Utd home game, how did you buy the tickets? Purchase online via manutd.com? Or straight go to OT tickets counter? Do they even have tickets counter for fans like in Malaysian stadiums?

To those who have been to OT to watch Man Utd home game, how did you buy the tickets? Purchase online via manutd.com? Or straight go to OT tickets counter? Do they even have tickets counter for fans like in Malaysian stadiums?