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Louis van Gaal is set to receive an early Christmas present with the news that Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera should be available for the Boxing Day clash with Newcastle United.

Shaw has been sidelined for over a month with an ankle ligament injury he picked up in the win at Arsenal over a month ago but was pictured back in training at Carrington on Friday.

Van Gaal prefers his players to complete a two-week probation period of training before they are considered for selection and Shaw's recovery is on-track for a return later this week.

The 19-year-old's United career has been beset with injuries since he was described as "unfit" by Van Gaal on United's pre-season tour.

Shaw suffered a hamstring injury when the squad returned from the United States and has also sustained knee and hamstring injuries this season.

Herrera missed Saturday's draw with Aston Villa due to a "small muscular injury" but said on his Facebook page: "I can't be with the team today due to a little injury, but I will be ready again soon. Cheers to everyone!"

The Spaniard could replace Darren Fletcher against Newcastle after the Scot endured a difficult return to the starting line-up in Saturday's draw at Aston Villa.

Fletcher, who was making his first start since August, was withdrawn at the interval having conceded the free-kick from which Christian Benteke opened the scoring for the hosts.

Marouane Fellaini was absent from the United first XI for the first time in two months at Villa Park but should also have recovered from his "illness" to be available for selection on Friday.

Chris Smalling, who hobbled off in the victory at Southampton earlier this month, has an outside chance of being involved in the matchday squad for Newcastle's visit but is yet to resume first-team training.

Marcos Rojo missed the games against Liverpool and Villa with a thigh strain but could also come into contention with United playing two games in 48 hours this week, as Van Gaal is forced to cope with English football's fixture congestion over the next fortnight.

United travel to Tottenham Hotspur two days after hosting Newcastle at Old Trafford for a noon fixture and play at Stoke City on New Year's Day at 12.45.

The Reds then face a gruelling 464 mile round-trip to Yeovil Town in the FA Cup a week on Sunday.

Van Gaal will be without Daley Blind for the hectic period due to the Dutchman's knee injury but Blind's father, Danny, said his son's recovery was "on schedule".

"He had a scan," Blind senior said two weeks ago. "Everything looked fine on the scan. Daley can really begin rehabilitation now but is still on schedule."