Argentina and Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze may well win his battle to be fit for the World Cup Finals in June, according to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Heinze suffered a serious knee injury in a Champions League match at Villarreal last September, and it looked unlikely that the defender was likely to be fit in time for the tournament in Germany

But after a successful operation to repair cruciate ligament damage, the 27-year-old has been working his way back to full fitness in Argentina.

“His progress is very good now. He's on full throttle and training very well every day,” Ferguson told reporters.

“He wanted a particular surgeon to do the operation, which every player is entitled to and the surgeon who did the operation is in complete control of his rehabilitation.

“Our latest development is that he will possibly be here at the beginning of April, with the possibility of playing before the end of the season.”

The left-back, who joined United from Paris St Germain in June 2004, stated earlier this week that he was approaching full fitness, and that he is aiming to start playing again in about a month's time.

“It's great to get him back, and I wouldn't be against him playing in the World Cup because it gives him football again,” said the Manchester United manager.

Heinze also said that he had a bet with Ferguson that he would be back on the pitch before the end of the season after Ferguson said last December that he doubted the defender's chances of playing in the World Cup.

Heinze has won 24 caps for Argentina, and his last game for the Albiceleste was last August in a 2-1 friendly win against Hungary.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

delicious | digg | google | yahoo | technorati