Ruud van Nistelrooy is on course to make his comeback from injury in Manchester United's Champions League tie with AC Milan next month.
The Dutch striker has been sidelined for almost two months by an Achilles injury but he has been responding well to treatment in Holland and it is hoped he will return ahead of schedule to face the Italian side on 23 February.
Van Nistelrooy, who remains top scorer for the Red Devils this season with 14 goals in all competitions, will fly back to Manchester on February 15 to undergo a week of intense fitness training in a bid to be fit for the vital tie.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson told the Daily Mirror: "I spoke to Ruud yesterday and he is doing great.
"He is doing power running and feeling no pain at all.
RUUD van Nistelrooy has returned to former club PSV Eindhoven for treatment on his Achilles injury.
The Reds star is facing a race to be fit for the Champions League last-16 first leg tie against AC Milan on February 23.
With Louis Saha out with a knee problem and Wayne Rooney suspended, Sir Alex Ferguson's striking options have been severely limited over the festive period.
But after this Saturday's FA Cup clash with Exeter City, Ferguson's selection problems should ease with Rooney returning and Saha close to full fitness.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Ruud van Nistelrooy could be out of action for between four to six weeks.
The Holland international missed Saturday's 5-2 win over Crystal Palace and Ferguson revealed he expects to have to rest the striker until well into the new year.
"It's not great news for us at all," he told Sky Premiership Plus.
"What started off as a calf injury is now an Achilles injury. The recommended treatment is therapy and doing a complete rehab on his injury.
"Hopefully, it's four weeks or six weeks at the very most but we don't know for certain."
The news could be worse for United as, even if van Nistelrooy is out for the full six weeks, he would be available for the meeting with Arsenal on February 1 and the Champions League meetings with AC Milan.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to undergo a scan on his calf today as concerns deepen about the lingering problem.
The prolific Dutchman - who tops United's goal chart this season with 12 - reported the injury a month ago and has missed the last three major games for Manchester United.
Team manager Sir Alex Ferguson had hoped the rest would allow the injury would clear, however, van Nistelrooy is still suffering with considerable pain.
"Ruud isn't any better and we are having to reassess what we are going to do about it,' Ferguson told Manchester press.
"The danger is with calf injuries they start to move down to the Achilles. That is our concern."
"He will go for a scan today and then we will wait and see what to do next."
Ruud van Nistelrooy only narrowly missed out on making United's clash with Fulham on Monday, with Sir Alex Ferguson choosing not to risk the Dutchman at Craven Cottage.
Van Nistelrooy has been suffering from a calf injury and has not played since being substituted during the 3-0 win over West Brom last month.
Ferguson rated van Nistelrooy as doubtful ahead of the match, and explained his absence in the starting line-up as precautionary.
"He was close, to a degree," said Ferguson. "But he was still getting a little ache just below his calf."
Ferguson said last week: "It is one of these injuries that if we don't deal with it now then it will just keep resurfacing."
The importance of the 28-year-old frontman can be measured by his 12 goals in 14 appearances for the Reds this season - a goal ratio that fully justifies his manager's caution, but one that highlights how sorely he was missed against Fulham.
RUUD TARGETS MILAN CLASH
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