Neville to miss reserves game

Gary Neville will miss Manchester United's reserve team clash with Liverpool at Northwich on Thursday night.

Sir Alex Ferguson had pencilled in the north-west derby as a return date for Neville, who has been absent since March with ankle, calf and thigh problems.

However, it was always felt the deadline was an optimistic, and so it has proved.

Old Trafford officials are anxious to stress Neville has not suffered a setback in his recovery programme.

But, after so long on the sidelines, no-one at United wants to see the long-serving full-back break down again.

However, with United's next reserve game not scheduled to take place until a trip to Wigan on October 24, it effectively rules the 32-year-old out of a first-team comeback for the remainder of the month.

United have also confirmed Darren Fletcher will not be involved against Liverpool despite some suggestion the Scotland midfielder was ready to return after picking up a knee injury during the early stages of his country's momentous Euro 2008 triumph over France in Paris last month.

Without the two senior stars, China international Dong Fangzhou is the only player with any major experience in the side to face the Merseysiders.