Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe is aiming to return from injury for the resumption of the Premier League season this month.
Tuanzebe has been sidelined since July with a back problem but has continued his rehabilitation at United's Carrington training complex during the World Cup. Tuanzebe has been using a zero-gravity running machine to aid his recovery.
The 25-year-old has not played for United since the Europa League final defeat to Villarreal in May 2021 as he spent last season on loan at Aston Villa and Napoli.
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With United expected to arrange mid-season loan moves for fit-again centre-backs Teden Mengi and Dishon Bernard, Tuanzebe would provide competition for senior centre halves Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire.
Goalkeeper Tom Heaton is also hopeful of returning from a knee injury in time for United's warm-weather training camp in Spain next week.
The 36-year-old sustained a knock in training in October and has missed the last five matches, his absence effectively denying Heaton a full United debut in the League Cup win over Aston Villa on November 10.
Full-back Brandon Williams is expected to travel to Cadiz with the rest of the United squad, having recovered from a long-term injury that has kept him sidelined since July.
Williams, 22, last played for United in May 2021 and was on loan at Norwich last season. The academy graduate trained under United manager Erik ten Hag in the summer but injury prevented him from figuring in the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia.
United resume their season with the visit of Burnley in the League Cup fourth round on December 21 before their Premier League campaign restarts against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on December 27.
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