Wanchope set for rapid return

Last updated : 21 February 2004 By Ben Collins
But firstly Wanchope must prove his fitness in the reserves, and Kevin Keegan has earmarked another derby - the reserves' away fixture with United on March 4.

"But that is tentative and is subject to him making enough progress," Keegan told the M.E.N.

"It could be put back a week or a few days, depending on how well he does, but at the moment it is a possibility. The operation has so far proved to be a success."

He added: "The derby at the City of Manchester Stadium is a definite possibility. He could be involved in some way.

"I think that is a fair target for him. He may not achieve that, but he will be pretty close to it."

The Costa Rican striker travelled to the States with Nick Weaver in January for an operation to cure his niggling knee problem.