Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has expressed his relief
that Park Ji-Sung is ready to return after recovering from ankle
surgery. "Park is a great player to get back," said Ferguson. "His
versatility and movement off the ball is something we shall use
over the Christmas period."
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and fellow striker Alan Smith are also close
to full match fitness, easing the pressure on Wayne Rooney and
Louis Saha. "For six weeks or so, we have operated with my heart in
my mouth, hoping nothing serious would befall Louis or Wayne,"
added Ferguson. "It was a situation that worried me - as I know it
did our supporters."
Ferguson's attacking options will also be boosted by the
availability of loan signing from Helsingborg, Henrik Larsson, from
1 January, while Guiseppe Rossi's loan spell at Newcastle is
drawing to a close.
Smith rejected a loan move in November, opting to work on regaining
his sharpness at Old Trafford after recovering from a double leg
fracture. The 26-year-old appeared alongside Park in the reserves
on Thursday, scoring for the first time since suffering the injury
in February.
"There has been a slight improvement in Alan each week over the
last three," said Ferguson. "He is still a bit short, so we will
keep him on the work he is doing. "He is now using his left foot
much more than he did three weeks ago, which is good news."
