Foot injury ends Neville's season

Foot 'discomfort'
The right-back, a veteran of the 1998 FIFA World Cup and two UEFA European Championships, is to undergo surgery today on the metatarsal injury which prevented him appearing at last summer's World Cup in Korea/Japan. Neville is reportedly suffering from "discomfort" in his foot.

Screw removal
A club statement said: "Following a medical consultation it has been decided to remove the screw that remained in his foot from his previous fractured metatarsal. The operation will take place today and he will be out for two to three months."

Championship beckons
The 28-year-old last started for United in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final loss to Real Madrid CF on 8 April. Neville's appearance was his 78th in club football's premier competition, a record. With a home game against Charlton Athletic FC and a trip to Everton FC to come, United are top of the Premiership, five points clear of an Arsenal side who have three matches left.

Slovakia next
Neville has begun all four of England's Group 7 qualifying ties, including the recent successes against Liechtenstein and Turkey. He will miss the visit of Slovakia to Middlesbrough, but should be fit for the away game in F.Y.R. Macedonia on 6 September.