Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand could be back in first-team action for the Red Devils after the break for Euro 2012 qualifiers at the start of September (United 12/5 – Premier League Outright).
The 31-year-old centre-half has been sidelined ever since England’s first training session at the World Cup finals in South Africa earlier in the summer when he suffered a medial knee ligament problem.
But Ferdinand has been working his way back to full fitness as he looks to bounce back from a couple of seasons where he has spent as much time off the pitch as on it with various injuries.
Last week Old Trafford chief Sir Alex Ferguson said he did not expect Ferdinand to be back before the end of next month – however, the former Leeds and West Ham man has clearly had other ideas.
Ferguson told reporters on Friday: “Rio hadn’t done anything football-wise when I spoke last week.
“When he read what I said maybe it gave him a kick. But he has come in and trained this week and done fantastic.
“He will train with the reserves today.”
Ferguson added: “He won’t be involved on Saturday, of course, but we have to try and think when we can get a game with him in the next two weeks he is that close.”
United entertain the Hammers in Saturday’s late kick off looking to bounce back from last weekend’s draw at Fulham (West Ham 2/7 – To Stay Up).
England striker Wayne Rooney sat out the trip to Craven Cottage through illness but is set to return against the Hammers while Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs will both be hoping to be promoted from the bench.
West Ham, who have lost both of their opening two Premier League games – against Aston Villa and Bolton, have moved to strengthen their forward line by snapping up Inter Milan forward Victor Obinna on a season-long loan deal.
The 23-year-old Nigeria international, who played for the Super Eagles at the World Cup in the summer, becomes the sixth signing of the Avram Grant era after Thomas Hitzlsperger, Tal Ben Haim, Winston Reid, Pablo Barrera and Frederic Piquionne.
The Hammers have the option of making the deal permanent at the end of the season.
Obinna spent last season on loan at La Liga strugglers Malaga who avoided relegation by a single point.
Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.