Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw has not played since September after suffering a double-broken leg Getty Images

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw is set to return to first team training later next week as he bids to make an appearance for the Red Devils before the end of the season. The 20-year-old was out for almost the entirety of the season following a double fracture on his right leg that he sustained against PSV Eindoven in the first group game of the Champions League.

The Telegraph reports that Shaw is hopeful he can return to the training pitch in the next seven to 10 days and also make some contribution for the first team before the end of the season. Should he be able to play, it will be a massive boost to his chances of making the European Championships later this year in France, with Roy Hodgson having already conceded that he would be inclined to take the defender with the squad.

United have been heavily constrained in the full-back areas this season through injury, with Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia and Shaw spending a majority of the season on the sidelines. He has been forced to use the likes of Ashley Young and youngsters such as Cameron Borthwick Jackson to make up for the loss, which has had an impact on their results.

The Red Devils are currently sixth in the table, only one point adrift of fourth placed Manchester City, but have to also contend with the likes of West Ham, who are level on points but ahead on goal difference. Shaw will he hoping to make a difference in this regard while playing a part in the FA Cup final, should United manage to overcome the Hammers in a quarter-final replay on 13 April.

Shaw will be given a tailored fitness programme to help in his recovery, having not kicked a ball since September. He was the first choice in the England line-up before succumbing to the injury and had played qualifiers against San Marino and Switzerland before the setback.

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