Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini has handed Louis van Gaal a timely injury boost as he returns to full fitness.
The midfielder hasn't featured since the opening day defeat to Swansea after suffering ankle ligament damage.
However he has been included in Belgium's squad for their upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers, with boss Marc Wilmots insisting he is ready to play.
The Manchester Evening News quote him as saying: "Fellaini is definitely fit. I know he hasn’t played much but he is eager to play.
"He wants to serve his country, even if it’s only for 10 or 15 minutes.
"He can be very helpful in different game situations. In Belgium you don’t find another player who has the same profile as Fellaini."
Van Gaal’s early Old Trafford reign has been blighted by injuries.
Confirmation this week that Ander Herrera had sustained a fractured rib in last weekend’s victory against West Ham took United’s casualty list into double figures.
Michael Carrick, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Ashley Young are other key names in the treatment room.
Van Gaal has described the crippling injury list as the worst of his managerial career – which is why Fellaini’s return will be such welcome news.
The 26-year-old is understood to have returned to full training at Carrington this week, which could put him in contention to make the squad for Sunday’s game against his former club Everton.
Fellaini endured a miserable first season at United as David Moyes reign came to a premature end, following failure to qualify for the Champions League.
He was expected to be a casualty of Van Gaal’s £150m summer overhaul, but insists he can still be a success at Old Trafford.
"I talked to Van Gaal and he has never said that I had to leave," said Fellaini. "He said I had a lot of competition, but that I will get the chance to prove myself.
"I have known difficult moments like last season, but you become a stronger player afterwards. I have confidence in myself and in my game again."
