Sir Alex has confirmed he'll hand Wayne Rooney his first start for five weeks when Blackburn Rovers visit Old Trafford on Saturday.

Rooney, who scored in midweek after coming off the bench against Fulham, missed the previous seven matches after tearing a hamstring in the Reds' win over Wigan Athletic on 14 January.

Now, however, the boss says the Englishman is fit and raring to go.

"Wayne will play," Sir Alex told media at his pre-match press conference. "He has to start so we can see how far advanced he is, but we think he's fine. We could have been tempted to use him at Derby on Sunday, but we decided the extra few days’ training would help him."

Elsewhere, John O'Shea's swollen heel, sustained on Wednesday night, means the Irishman is a "slight doubt".

"Other than that, it's the same squad," Sir Alex confirmed.

Victory against Blackburn will send United eight points clear of title rivals Liverpool, who play on Sunday.

Gary Neville has agreed terms on a new contract that keeps him at the club until June 2010.

Neville is as loyal a servant as any club could hope to have, spending the last 17 years in and around the first-team since making his debut against Torpedo Moscow in 1992, and he admits he couldn’t imagine playing for anyone else.

"Manchester United is the only club I have ever wanted to play for so I am delighted to have signed for another year,” he said.

The new deal for Neville, who turned 34 on Wednesday, follows hot on the heels of Ryan Giggs’ one-year contract extension, and Sir Alex Ferguson says the new deal helps sustain the spirit of the club.

“Gary, Ryan and Paul are the spirit of Manchester United and so we are delighted that Gary has signed for another year,” Sir Alex told ManUtd.com on Friday. “Gary is a true professional and he deserves this new contract and we are very happy to have him here."

Sir Alex later praised Neville's determined and committed characteristics at his regular Friday press conference.

"His performance level and drive has never changed," said the Reds boss. "It's more obvious in Gary because he never had the talent of Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes, but he always had determination to make sure he was always in the team.

"He also showed determination to come back after a year and a half out with injuries. We all had concerns that maybe he wasn’t going to come back - at his age, it isn’t easy. But he’s been absolutely fantastic. It’s a demonstration by Gary that he’s never going to give in. He’s an amazing man.

"He's signed another year contract and, as we’ve done with Paul and Ryan, we’ll see what happens next year. Certainly if they keep their performance level up, they’ll be here for another year, no question."

Neville, Giggs and Scholes have all played vital roles this season for the Reds, and Sir Alex is clearly keen to get the most out of his experienced old guard.

"We've tailored their games in the sense of using them in games we feel are right for them, which suits them.

"We’re lucky because I’ve got a big squad to do that. It gives me headaches at times, but it also gives me more options and I'm able to tailor their roles in the games."

Anderson may return from an ankle injury in time to feature in next weekend's Carling Cup final against Tottenham.

The Brazilian midfielder had been out since being stretchered off at the end of the Reds' semi-final, second leg win over Derby County, but he is now eyeing a return to action.

"Anderson is back training," Sir Alex Ferguson told his pre-Blackburn press conference. "He started training today with the first team and he could be ready for the League Cup final on Sunday [1 March]."

Blackburn's visit to Old Trafford and a tricky trip to face Internazionale in the San Siro await United before next weekend's trip to Wembley, and Sir Alex admits he is going to have to rotate his squad in order to keep in the hunt for every competition.

"We are picking different teams, and we’ll have a different team tomorrow, Tuesday and Sunday," he said. "In the Sunday game I can say that the young ones who’ve played in the competition all along will play, I’m not changing my mind on that one."

Sir Alex Ferguson expects Gary Neville to figure in next weekend's Carling Cup final against Tottenham.

The long-serving Manchester United full-back signed a new contract on Friday after proving he still has plenty to offer at Old Trafford after coming back from a long-term injury.

Although a virus will prohibit his involvement against Blackburn at the weekend and a UEFA Champions Leagues clash with Inter Milan in midweek, Ferguson expects to be able to call on the experienced campaigner at Wembley.

"Gary is back training now," Ferguson told MUTV.

"He is doing all the physical work now and will be into football training on Monday so he will be available for the Carling Cup final."

Welbeck option

Meanwhile, Ferguson refuted suggestions Danny Welbeck had been dumped into the reserves on Wednesday night as punishment for his elaborate goal celebration at Derby last weekend.

Instead, it transpired the England U21 star played against Wigan's second string purely to keep his fitness up before he also joins the United squad for what will be his first appearance in a major final.

"Danny Welbeck had to play with the reserves because I had Wayne Rooney back and the boy was needing football," said the United boss.

"He did very well against Derby and then played the full game against Wigan reserves and scored two goals.

"He will also be available for the Carling Cup final."

The situation with Anderson is not quite so clear cut.

Earlier this week Ferguson stated it would be 'weeks' before the Brazilian returned to duty after suffering an ankle injury against Derby last month.

The prognosis is not so bad now, although it will still be touch and go whether Anderson is fit to face Spurs: "He could be a substitute," added Ferguson.

"He is just doing light stuff with the first team. He is doing more physical work and combining that with a bit of football.

"One more week and he will be back with us properly."