Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will not rush Nemanja Vidic back this season.
But Ferguson insists the defender is on course to fully recover from his knee injury for the start of the new campaign.
The United captain suffered ruptured cruciate ligaments in his knee during the Champions League defeat by Basel, consigning him to the treatment table for the rest of the season.
However, it was recently suggested the Serbian international could make a quicker than expected recovery and play a vital part in the Red Devils' title run-in.
But Ferguson does not see any point in rushing the 30-year-old back and wants him to be fresh and injury free for the start of next season.
The Scot told Sky Sports News: "I think he's on schedule really. It'll be the beginning of the season."
"It won't be any sooner - I can assure you of that. There's no point trying to rush him for the end of the season, it's just not possible."
"So it means we'll have him at the beginning of next season, giving him a full recovery, as that will be something like eight months.
"I'm not sure about (going on) the tour. It may be possible. That will be a target, I suppose, but we want him in training when we start (pre-season) training."