Rooney to return against Newcastle after absence

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Wayne Rooney will return against Newcastle United on Wednesday after being dropped at the weekend due to a poor training performance.

Rooney was fined a week's wages and dropped ahead of the home defeat to Blackburn on New Year's Eve following a night out with teammates Darron Gibson and Jonny Evans on Boxing Day.

Ferguson explained to Sirius XM: "You've got to be fit to play in the Premier League."

Despite Ferguson suggesting Rooney's fitness levels may not be ideal, he claimed the striker would 'of course' be involved against Newcastle.

United are second in the league on 45 points and only goal difference seperates them from their rivals Manchester City.