SOCCER: After almost four months spent on the sidelines, it took Roy Keane only 12 minutes to signal his return to action in typically snarling fashion last night. The Corkman's trademark ear-bashing was reserved for Ricardo Lopez, apparently dawdling over his distribution during Manchester United's 3-2 reserve defeat to Newcastle.

Keane, his hip recovered from surgery, was making his first appearance since the 1-1 Premiership draw with Sunderland on August 31st. Then, with the furore over his controversial autobiography raging, he had departed the first team by spitefully crashing his right elbow into his former international team-mate Jason McAteer's head, earning the 10th red card of his career.

He had three opportunities to earn United a draw, spearing them all over the bar, much to the horror of the 2,077 spectators spattered around the South Stand, who generated an eerie atmosphere.

There was a few straggling cries of "Keano" as the Irishman followed his captain for the night, Michael Stewart, on to the turf. Indeed, none of the youthful home side dared berate the Irishman when he wastefully gave away possession with his first touch.

Yet, with bellowed commands echoing around the empty stands, it was clear Keane was ready for a return. Having loudly bemoaned surrendering possession to Carl Cort - stepping up his own return from injury and the scorer of the visitors' winner - which led to Newcastle's first goal, the Irishman set up the equaliser for Daniel Nardiello with a searing 25-yard drive that was spilled by Adam Collin.

Keane was sharp, his box-to-box running unchecked, renewed relish in every challenge, and he probably earned a place on the United bench at Blackburn.

"I just wanted to get 90 minutes from Roy," said Alex Ferguson. "That's all I required from him. He's been doing terrific training-wise, but he needed the game under his belt."

Another United midfielder, Nicky Butt, is hoping to return to action next week after recovering from a persistent ankle injury. He has been on the sidelines since damaging his ankle in a Premiership game against Everton in early October.

"I am getting there slowly," Butt said yesterday. "It is a case of taking it easy now and not doing anything stupid."

Butt said his injury had been frustrating because he had never been sure how long it was likely to take to heal. "If everything goes well I should be back in full training next Monday," he added.

Rio Ferdinand says he has not yet set a date for his return to action for United. The England defender limped off in the victory over Bayer Leverkusen on November 13th with a thigh muscle injury. He said he was frustrated by a series of injuries that have limited him to just 16 games since signing for £30 million from Leeds United in the summer.

"It's been longer than I thought it would be but these things happen and you have to get on with it. I'm on the right road now," he told MUTV.

Ferdinand has had to watch as Mikael Silvestre and Wes Brown have built a promising partnership at the heart of United's defence, who have now gone five games without conceding a goal.

Meanwhile, United and Arsenal could be on a collision course over the rescheduling of their crucial Premiership fixture at Highbury. League officials have confirmed the match, which could prove pivotal in the destination of the title, will definitely be moved from its original date on Easter Monday, April 21st.

Both clubs look set to be involved in important Champions League quarter-final second-leg ties that week, making postponement inevitable. Negotiations are ongoing with the Premier League anxious to avoid a situation where they are forced to dictate exactly when the game must be played.

However, it seems certain the clubs will be looking at different dates for the fixture. United have traditionally brought the game forward by two or three months, as was the case with their home clash with Liverpool last season, to avoid an end-of-season backlog.

Arsenal will probably be eager to delay the fixture as long as possible, keeping it as a fall-back in case they slip behind the chief threat to their championship.

The Premier League have already ruled out a January re-arrangement, while if either club has a lengthy FA Cup run, the situation would become more complicated. If either side makes it through to the Champions League semi-final, the latest date for the fixture to be played would be April 30th.

Guardian Service