FA Cup countdown: Town ace Larnell Cole hoping to fire against his old club Manchester United

The on-loan Fulham midfielder joined in with Micky Mellon's squad for the first time since hurting his groin, which forced him to miss the last three games.

Cole hasn't played since the fourth round win against Sheffield Wednesday on January 30 – but is hoping to be involved against the club where he came through the ranks and won the FA Youth Cup.

"He trained yesterday, which was his first full training session back with us," said Mellon. "So we'll see how he goes in the next few days.

"It won't be a case of picking him out of sentiment, but if we think having anyone in the squad will give us a better chance of winning, I don't care – I'll pick my granny!

"We have an idea at the minute who we'd like to be in that group to play, but if that's Larny, he'll be in."

The game will be extra-special for Manchester-born Cole, who is one of several Town players with a United connection – midfielder Ian Black is a long-term Old Trafford season ticket holder while Zak Whitbread and Jack Grimmer are United fans.

"It's going to be special for the lads if they've been at United before. There's no doubt it's a nice thing for anyone who's played there or had a link with them," said Mellon.

"He was very talented there – I remember taking my lad Michael there to watch him in the FA Youth Cup semi-final at Old Trafford and I think they beat Tottenham 4-0."

Mellon insists Cole, who moved to Fulham two years ago, has nothing to prove to United.

"I don't think it's about reminding them of the talent he's got," added the boss. "He's carving a career out for himself because of the grounding he got there.

"He'll be very for that and he's another who's come through at Man United who's making himself into a Championship player."