Smalling set to return to the fray

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has declared himself fit and ready to launch himself back into the Premier League title battle.

Smalling has spent the last three weeks trying to overcome a head injury sustained in a clash of heads with Klaas Jan Huntelaar in England's friendly with Holland last month. His first comeback, wearing a Petr Cech-style cap, had to be aborted when the former Fulham defender split his stitches in the Europa League home defeat to Athletic Bilbao.

The 22-year-old has fully recovered now though and came through a midweek reserve-team outing against Aston Villa without a problem, and he said: "I feel good. It was the first time I'd not played with any protection and I came through it well."

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