Ferdinand happy with fitness level ahead of return

RIO FERDINAND believes a strict training regime prepared for him by Manchester United’s new fitness coach will stand him in good stead for his return from suspension next month.

Ferdinand is able to play from September 20 after serving an eight-month ban for missing a drugs test. He has not played competitive football since the turn of the year but Italian fitness coach Valter di Salvo is preparing the England central defender for his return.

Ferdinand said: “Carlos Queiroz has brought in Valter di Salvo, our new fitness coach. And because I’m not playing at the moment, he has been running me into the ground.

“He [di Salvo] has worked at Lazio and Real Madrid, so he’s worked with the very best before and you feel comfortable and confident in what they are doing. Our training will hopefully pay off later on in the season where we will beable to keep kicking on in games, especially the later stages of matches.”

Manager Alex Ferguson has also been impressed by the impact made by assistant Queiroz since his return from Madrid and by di Salvo.

Ferguson said “Having Carlos Queiroz back is terrific. The great thing about Carlos is that everyone respects him and admires his work. Our new fitness instructor, Valter di Salvo, will also bring fresh ideas to the club; that’s his speciality.”

Ferguson has also confirmed that his efforts to secure funding to sign a striker before the transfer window closes at the end of the month have failed.

He added: “I would really love to bring in a new face but if I’m being honest, I don’t think it will happen.”

Ruud van Nistelrooy (hernia), Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (knee) and Louis Saha (knee) are all out, but the club’s directors view the situation as a short-term problem and insist that Diego Forlan and David Bellion will be able to support Alan Smith.