Ancelotti boosted by Rio injury

AC MILAN coach Carlo Ancelotti admits an injury to Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand will play into his team’s hands for the Champions League semi-final.

United boss Alex Ferguson revealed Ferdinand will be sidelined for two weeks after a recurrence of his groin strain. If that diagnosis proves accurate, the 28-year-old will miss both matches against Milan.

Ancelotti, speaking after his team’s 3-1 win over Cagliari and learning of Ferdinand’s injury, said: “He (Ferdinand) is a very important player for their defence.”

However, the Rossoneri coach is concerned about United’s attacking potential.

He said: “We will have to be careful and keep possession of the ball but that could be a two-edged sword because if we do not do well our opponents could hit us on the counter-attack.”

Brazilian goalkeeper Dida has been included in Milan’s 25-man squad for tomorrow night’s first leg at Old Trafford.

Dida has been struggling with a shoulder injury but was one of four goalkeepers named by Ancelotti, who rested most of his first-teamers for Saturday’s win over Cagliari.

Brazilian striker Ronaldo has been omitted as he is not registered to play in the Champions League.

AC Milan (squad): Dida, Kalac, Fiori, Storari; Bonera, Cafu, Costacurta, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Oddo, Serginho, Simic; Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kaka, Pirlo, Seedorf; Gilardino, Inzaghi, Oliveira.