Defensive duo Rio Ferdinand and John O'Shea have handed
Manchester United a boost by returning to full fitness.
But manager Sir Alex Ferguson still has problems at the back after
Patrice Evra limped off against Sheffield United.
"Rio and John will be back on Saturday, so that should give us a
bit more strength and experience in the back line," said an upbeat
Ferguson.
Evra will be sent for a scan on his left leg after being hurt by
Sheffield United's Colin Kazim-Richards.
But it already appears certain the Frenchman will miss Saturday's
home encounter with Middlesbrough.
Ferdinand has made a quick recovery from the groin injury he
sustained in the FA Cup win over Watford on Saturday.
But fellow defenders Gary Neville, Mikael Silvestre and Nemanja
Vidic remain sidelined.
Neville has been missing since suffering an ankle injury in the win
against Bolton in March but may be fit to face AC Milan in the
Champions League on 24 April.
Silvestre is out for the rest of the season after dislocating a
shoulder while Vidic is still nursing a broken collarbone.
Against Sheffield United on Tuesday, Ferguson was forced to employ
midfielders Darren Fletcher and Kieran Richardson as emergency
full-backs.
"It was a great challenge for them but they came through it well,"
said the Scot, whose side won 2-0 to move six points clear at the
top of the Premiership.