It had not been anticipated that Scholes would be available for another month after an injury-blighted campaign, which also saw him jar an ankle in the Champions League clash with Zalaegerszeg and become a central figure in an apparent club-versus-country conflict.

His return could hardly have been better timed after Juan Sebastian Veron phoned United’s Carrington training camp this morning reporting flu-like symptoms which will prevent him making the capital trip.

Scholes is almost certain to fill the midfield vacancy alongside Nicky Butt and despite the swiftness of his return, Queiroz is confident Scholes is fit enough to take on the task.

“The problem wasn’t quite as bad as we first feared,” admitted the former Portugal and South Africa national coach, recruited as Alex Ferguson’s number two during the summer.

“Even so, we have fantastic medical staff at the club and Paul has worked really hard throughout the recovery process.

“We have been able to watch him in training every day, so it’s not a surprise that he is ready for tomorrow.”

While Rio Ferdinand has recovered from a minor knee complaint, United will be forced into a defensive change as Mikael Silvestre has failed to overcome a slight knee twist.

That might see Phil Neville switched into his third position of the campaign after previously occupying right-back and central midfield berths in a, so far, ever-present season for the England international.

“We have been affected by injuries because players need stability to be able to work together,” Queiroz said.

“As soon as everyone is fit, the performances and results will improve.

“But you have to be impressed by the commitment and dedication shown by the squad.

“They are prepared to sacrifice themselves by moving into different positions and that kind of attitude should make sure we don’t finish empty-handed like last season.”

John O’Shea will make the trip south after suffering double vision in an accidental clash with Neville against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.

However, O’Shea may lose his place to Gary Neville, who replaced the Ireland international in Germany and completed 45 minutes of senior action for the first time in four months.

Ferguson has previously suggested he would again be looking for Scholes to operate as a link between midfield and attack but given the current injury situation, a straight two-man striking formation is expected with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a likely partner for Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The Dutch forward bounced back to form with a first-half double which put United on the road to their 2-1 Champions League triumph in Germany.

Van Nistelrooy has recovered from a slight hamstring strain and, having taken his total for the season to seven, Queiroz believes the former PSV man is about to hit top form.

“People have been judging him just on goalscoring, which I don’t think is fair,” he said.

“You always have to listen to other opinions but it doesn’t necessarily mean they are right.

“You have to keep an open mind, take out the positives and negatives and use anything which can be useful.

“With Ruud it was using the psychological edge to make him relax and acknowledge that the scoring opportunities would still come.

“Even in the matches where he didn’t score, Ruud was working really hard and had been involved in a lot of our attacking moves.

“Against Leverkusen he was fantastic but we will leave talk about his goals to the journalists, we care more about his all-round contribution.”

After following Brian Kidd and Steve McClaren as Ferguson’s right-hand man, Queiroz’s coaching techniques have come in for some veiled criticism from outside Old Trafford’s hallowed walls.

However, the club’s players seem enthused and Queiroz is certainly enjoying working with the legendary Scot and his first taste of the Barclaycard Premiership.

“Alex is a great man. He is somebody everybody respects and is great to work with.

“The Premier League has improved more than any other league in Europe over the last few years.

“Clubs are bringing in different ideas from coaches and players and the speed and passion has always been among the best.”