Bradley Johnson and Shane Higgs are both edging closer to a first team return.

United manager Simon Grayson has revealed that the pair have both started training again after injury, but are unlikely to feature at the weekend.

Johnson has been sidelined with a hip injury while Higgs has featured just once since September due to a thigh problem.

"They've both started training again," confirmed the United boss.

"They've made good progress and they both joined us again this week, although it's still very early yet.

"They need to do some more work first and we'll see how things progress."

United are without a scheduled reserve game until the New Year, but it's likely that at least one behind-closed-doors game will be played during the run up to Christmas.

Paddy Kisnorbo still remains a doubt for the weekend with his knee injury, but Richard Naylor is edging closer to a return, and Andrew Hughes came back into the side in midweek after a groin problem.

"We've got a few back and a few getting closer so it's good news on the injury front," added the manager.

"A couple of weeks ago we had a lot of bodies with the physio staff, but those numbers are reducing now."