Ferguson backs O'Shea and Richardson as cover in crisis

ALEX FERGUSON has backed John O'Shea and Kieran Richardson to cover Manchester United's defensive crisis and questioned how Chelsea would cope in a similar situation.

A nightmare 10 days on the injury front was capped yesterday when Gary Neville broke down in training, just 48 hours before his intended comeback against Blackburn.

The full-back was immediately booked in for a groin operation that will keep him out for at least six weeks, a period that includes United's crucial Premiership clash with Chelsea on November 6 as well as England's World Cup double-header in October against Austria and Poland.