MANCHESTER, England (AP) -- Manchester United captain Gary Neville may not return to first-team action until next season.

The fullback, who has not appeared in the Premier League for almost a year because of ankle and groin injuries, has started playing for the Red Devils' reserve team but expects a long wait before he gets back in the Premier League leader's first-choice lineup.

"It's going to take time for me to get back to full match sharpness after being out for so long," Neville said. "Hopefully I'll get a game somewhere but that could prove difficult with the significance of the matches we have over the next few weeks. I just have to hope and pray that I get my chance at some point.

"Usually when you're coming back from injury, there's an opportunity to throw you back into the side -- maybe in one of the cup competitions -- but every game's so important now."

Neville was initially injured in a March 2007 match against Bolton but has had several setbacks since.

Wes Brown has filled in at right back to help United win last season's Premier League and build a five-point lead with seven games left in this season's competition.

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