Neville in recent reserve team action against Liverpool's Harry Kewell
Manchester United defender Gary Neville has conceded he may not be handed a first-team return until next term as he battles to recover from ankle trouble.
The 33-year-old club captain has not featured since he was injured against Bolton on 17 March 2007.
He has played a handful of matches for the reserve side but said: "It's going to take time for me to get back to full sharpness after being out for so long.
"Hopefully I'll get a game somewhere but every one is so important now."
United, currently five points ahead at the top of the Premier League table, have seven matches remaining and will also face Roma in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
"Usually when you're coming back from injury there is an opportunity to throw you back into the side, maybe in a cup competition," said Neville, who joined the club as a trainee in 1993 and has made over 300 league appearances.
"That could prove difficult with the significance of the matches we have over the next few weeks.
"I just have to hope and pray that I get my chance at some point."
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