FEDERICO MACHEDA BOOST EASES MANCHESTER UNITED’S STRIKER CRISIS

Italy Under-21 star Federico Macheda has been sidelined by a calf strain since December, but is set to return to training to bolster Sir Alex Ferguson’s attacking resources.

Ferguson is already without Michael Owen, who is out for the season and Danny Welbeck who is on loan at Preston.

He said: “Macheda started light training this week.

“He has had a long-term injury which has been disappointing for us because he is such a great talent.

“But he should be back in the football side within two weeks.”

The 18-year-old would offer Ferguson an alternative to his remaining three recognised strikers; Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Biram Diouf.

Ferguson is hoping Macheda is following Owen Hargreaves on the comeback trail as, after nearly 18 months on the sidelines, the England midfielder is expected to make his long-awaited return from surgery on both knees in tomorrow night’s reserve team encounter with Manchester City at Altrincham.

Macheda has been limited to just five appearances this season, the last of which came in the Carling Cup quarter-final triumph over Tottenham in December.