The Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher is targeting a return to action next season. Fletcher has been sidelined for an indefinite period as he seeks to manage a chronic bowel condition.

The Scotland international is trying a variety of different ways of overcoming the problem in a manner that would allow him to continue his career. That other high-profile sports stars, including Sir Steve Redgrave, have managed it offers genuine reason for optimism.

However, the 28-year-old has written off playing any further part in United's Premier League title bid this season. "It's a week-by-week situation so I've not got any timescale on recovery, but the target is next season," Fletcher told the Manchester Evening News.

"If I can come back then, that would be great for me. It's something that will never leave me but somehow you have to find a way to manage it so that I can still play my football. I'm trying everything under the sun at the moment: diet, hypnotherapy."

Fletcher first started to experience problems last March. His absence for all but two games of the final three months of last season was put down to a virus. However, after appearing in 10 United games this term, Fletcher felt he needed to take an extended break and revealed the true nature of his condition.