Injury-plagued Rio
Ferdinand has given Manchester United a timely boost by
returning to training just two weeks after manager Sir Alex
Ferguson had effectively ruled him out for the rest of the
season.
Ferdinand, 32, has been out of action since picking up a calf
strain in the warm-up prior to United's shock defeat at Wolves at
the start of February.
After making slow progress in his recovery, Ferguson admitted
the club were "not looking at this as a short-term situation" but
the former England skipper returned to training on Wednesday and,
although he is likely to miss the first leg of the Champions League
quarter-final against Chelsea, he has a chance of featuring when
United welcome Fulham to Old Trafford on April 9.
"He's started training, he trained this morning but I think you
know the Friday morning session is not excessive, it's just a light
session for the players," said Ferguson.
"I could bring him back tomorrow and give him a few days off
afterwards but I think he's more likely to be fit for the Fulham
game."
Ferguson may ultimately conclude it is worth taking a gamble
given none of his other injured defenders will be back to face
Chelsea, whilst a few may be available for Fulham.
Rafael, John
O'Shea and Wes
Brown could all tackle Mark
Hughes' men. But none of that trio will make the trip to
Stamford Bridge, when Jonny Evans will be available as he serves a
three-match domestic ban.
None of this helps his team selection for Saturday, when
Ferguson accepts filling the right-back slot is going to be a major
issue.
"We have to solve that and find the right solution,'' he
said.
It seems almost certain Brazilian Fabio will fill the void, with
Chris
Smalling partnering skipper Nemanja
Vidic in central defence.
At least Ferguson finally has options in midfield. Park
Ji-Sung could make his first start since he left for Asian Cup
duty in Qatar, whilst Anderson is likely to be on the bench at
Upton Park after recovering from a knee injury it was initially
suggested would rule him out for the season.
However, Darren
Fletcher is still troubled by a virus, whilst Owen
Hargreaves' United career now looks to be at an end following
the shoulder problem he picked up in training.
"It is another huge setback for the lad,'' said Ferguson.