Mason Mount is excited to return to Manchester United action after starting light training on Wednesday morning.

As he recovers from a calf injury suffered against Luton Town in mid-November, the midfielder is having individual training away from the main group. The summer acquisition is likely to return before the end of January.

Mount has started just seven United games during an unimpressive first few months at the club, which has been plagued by two injuries. The 24-year-old suffered a minor injury against Tottenham in August, forcing him to miss more than a month of play.

However, the star is overjoyed to be working his way back up to full health after his most recent setback. On Thursday morning, the midfielder said on social media, “Hope you had a great Christmas Reds, can’t wait to be back out there with the lads!”

Mount was Erik ten Hag’s first signing of the summer, costing an initial £55 million. He has yet to score in 12 appearances and has only provided one assist, setting up Casemiro’s header in the League Cup win over Crystal Palace in September.

Mount is one of nine first-team players out with injuries, though Ten Hag may have a number of them back next month. Victor Lindelof, Casemiro, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, and Lisandro Martinez are expected to return in the new year, while Anthony Martial, Sofy Amrabat, and Luke Shaw may be available for Saturday’s match against Nottingham Forest.

After suffering minor injuries, Amrabat and Shaw both missed Tuesday’s 3-2 comeback triumph over Aston Villa.