Manchester United expect midfielders Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves to make their returns from injury against West Bromwich Albion next weekend.

Carrick has been out of action since limping out of the Premier League defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in mid-September after aggravating a foot injury.

Meanwhile, Hargreaves has been sidelined with a recurrence of his long-running knee tendinitis problem which flared up following the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on September 21.

However, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson expects both midfielders to be in contention for recalls for the visit of the Baggies to Old Trafford on October 18.

He said: "We are expecting Michael to be available next week. He is almost back to full training now.

"Owen is much better and we will pencil him in for the West Brom game without question."