Ferguson close to return

Last updated : 06 January 2003 By Austin Rathe
David Moyes sexpects Ferguson to be back before the end of the month, following another operation to free a trapped nerve in his back.

Moyes said: "He has been training well in the last three or four days and is probably due to join in with the first-team training within the next few days.

"He has been out a long time now and he is going to be in need of games as he gets down to regaining his fitness.

"For Duncan that is the most important thing, hopefully he will be back shortly."

Ferguson's return is clearly expected by Everton, they have loaned Brain McBride for three months, and the end of the spell should overlap with Ferguson's return to match fitness.