Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes is unlikely to need surgery on his hernia problem.
The England international has not played for three weeks, with United hoping a period of rest would return the 28-year-old to full fitness.
"He's feeling a bit easier and the news is a bit more encouraging," manager Alex Ferguson said. "It's the first sign of recovery of the injury.
"We won't be doing the operation at the moment and if he gets through this without it, it will prove to be a real bonus to us."
England will also be watching Scholes's progress closely before the decisive Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey on October 11th.
Scholes has had two previous hernia operations.
