The 31-year-old has played just five games this season and none since his controversial dismissal against Sunderland in August.

Following that match Keane underwent surgery on his troublesome hip, and he is now also serving a five-match FA ban following comments in his autobiography

"Roy will be starting full time training this week, hopefully by the end of the week," United manager Sir Alex Ferguson told MUTV.

"From then on we will monitor how he is coming through that part where he has to twist, turn and kick the ball.

"It is an important week for Roy."

He is unlikely to play for another couple of weeks as he builds up his match fitness.