Wayne Rooney scored his sixth league goal of the season against Wigan

Wayne Rooney will return to the bench for Manchester United against Fulham on Wednesday after missing seven games with a hamstring strain.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "The plan is for Wayne to be involved and he will start on the bench."

The England striker was left out of the squad that beat Derby 4-1 in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Ferguson added: "That decision was a good one because it gave him an extra day to train. He is back to his best."

Rooney has been absent since limping off after scoring an early winner in the 1-0 victory against Wigan on 14 January.

Although he was initially ruled out for three weeks, Manchester United staff had warned that his recovery may take longer.

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Rooney also missed England's 2-0 friendly defeat against European champions Spain in which Aston Villa pair Emile Heskey and Gabriel Agbonlahor started up front.

United have put together seven consecutive wins in all competitions without the forward, progressing in both cups and moving two points clear of second-placed Liverpool in the Premier League, with Wednesday's game at Old Trafford in hand.

Ferguson added: "We have handled him in the right way. His performances in training have been excellent."

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