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Pogba, Rashford available when Premier League resumes, says Solskjaer

FILE PHOTO: FA Cup Fifth Round - Derby County v Manchester United

(Reuters) - Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford have recovered from their injuries and will be available for the restart of the Premier League season, which has been suspended since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pogba, who underwent foot surgery in January, and Rashford, who suffered a back injury during an FA Cup third-round clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers, were both expected to miss the remainder of the campaign.

"They're looking good, they've joined training now and they've done everything the other boys have been doing. No reaction so far, touch wood," Solskjaer told United's website.

"When we get started, it looks like we can have a full squad to choose from."

Solskjaer is also hoping to keep hold of striker Odion Ighalo until the end of the season.

Ighalo's loan move from Shanghai Shenhua is set to end on May 31 and the Chinese Super League club are keen on bringing the striker back ahead of the resumption of their domestic season.

"We’re in dialogue. They’ve been great towards us, his club, and allowed him to play for his dream club," the Norwegian added.

"Hopefully he can finish off what he started, hopefully with a trophy for us. At the moment, nothing has been agreed. Their league is going to get started soon so we’re just waiting to see."

Premier League players have returned to non-contact training in small groups with their clubs and 'Stage Two' of the government's guidance will allow close quarters coaching and tackling in team sports.

The Premier League's 'Project Restart' envisages a return to play in June.

"Hopefully now we've proved we can do this safely and we can move to the next step. It's been really enjoyable being on the training ground again," Solskjaer added.

"Everyone's looking sharp... we've been splitting up in groups so fours and fives together and they’ve really done well."

Manchester United were fifth in the Premier League, three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea when the season was halted.

(Reporting by Arvind Sriram in Bengaluru, editing by Pritha Sarkar)