Hargreaves fights psychological battle

Washington, Dec. 14 (ANI): After physically recovering from two knee operations that kept him away from football for 14 months, England midfielder Owen Hargreaves is trying to overcome his psychological hurdles to make a comeback.

Hargreaves still lacks the confidence to make a return and spends most of his time training alone with United's physiotherapist.

"Owen is doing most things but it is the confidence part to mark the big step forward in the competitive part of the training that needs to come," The Sun quoted Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, as saying.

Fergie had earlier suggested that Hargreaves would be back in action by November.

But there is now no timescale on when he will even be playing matches in training, let alone the Premier League.

Assistant manager Mike Phelan said: "He is out there running around and we are working hard with him on a theme to help him come back."

But the clock is ticking for Hargreaves, who only has five months to show Fabio Capello that he can still be part of his World Cup squad.

Hargreaves has 42 caps and was England's star performer in the last World Cup. (ANI)