Fergie hopeful on Ferdinand

MANCHESTER United manager Alex Ferguson is still hopeful of getting Rio Ferdinand fit in time for tonight’s Champions League clash with Roma, although he believes he has plenty of experienced cover should the England defender fail to make it.

Ferguson revealed yesterday that Ferdinand may yet face the Italians in the quarter-final second leg at Old Trafford with United holding a 2-0 advantage.

Ferdinand’s fitness will be assessed this morning after he limped out of the Barclays Premier League draw against Middlesbrough at the weekend with a foot problem.