" Scholes boost for England"
An operation would have ruled Scholes out for a month at least
Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes does not require a third hernia operation and could be fit for England´s crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey next month.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed the news following his side´s impressive 5-0 win over Panathinaikos in the Champions League on Tuesday.
It had been feared Scholes might need a third hernia operation, which would have kept him out of action for at least a month - ruling him out of the Turkey match on 11 October.
But Ferguson said: " For the first time, it looks a little bit more encouraging.
" We have delayed surgery because we hoped it would settle down and it seems to be a little bit easier now, so we won´t be doing an operation for the moment."
Ferguson reserved special praise for Ryan Giggs and Ruud van Nistelrooy following United´s demolition of their Greek opponents at Old Trafford.
Neither player scored, but both were instrumental in the rout.
" When people look at the result and see Ruud hasn´t scored, they will probably think he wasn´t playing," admitted Ferguson.
" But his overall contribution to this win was absolutely fantastic.
When you consider what Ryan has achieved and the fact he keeps going, I think it is quite remarkable
Sir Alex Ferguson
" As a striker, if you don´t score, you have to do other things and, in that respect, Ruud showed himself to be a real footballer tonight.
" And Ryan has been in the middle of the battle-scene for the last 10 years.
" Other than the likes of Roy Keane, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville, I don´t think there is anyone else in the Premier League who can say that.
" When you consider what he has achieved and the fact he still keeps going, I think it is quite remarkable."