Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes could return from a three-month injury absence in the FA Cup next weekend, United's assistant manager Carlos Queiroz said on Friday.
Scholes has been out of action since undergoing an operation to clear up a knee injury sustained in training at the end of October.
"We are waiting for clearance and we think next Thursday the medical staff will give clearance for Paul Scholes to be ready to start full training and playing. He can play immediately," Queiroz told a news conference.
According to Queiroz, Scholes' general fitness levels are "fantastic" and he believes the 33-year-old former England international could be back in Alex Ferguson's squad for their FA Cup fourth-round tie against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 27.
"The FA Cup is a possibility. We hope after clearance next Thursday that he can at least be on the bench."
The return of the influential Scholes, who has scored 138 goals in 550 appearances for United, will provide a further boost for United as they chase a treble of the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
"To have Paul Scholes, Louis Saha, Gerard Piquet and Gary Neville coming back at the end of the month is fantastic news for us," Queiroz added.
Queiroz said Saha was progressing well after a knee injury and that United would decide later on Friday whether to take Gary Neville on their training trip to Saudi Arabia on Saturday night or leave him to train in Manchester and play again for the reserves in mid-week.
Wes Brown returns from suspension for United's Premier League game at Reading on Saturday and Owen Hargreaves is also fit again.
