Soccer: Fergie waits on duo

Sir Alex Ferguson will check on the fitness of striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and full-back Mikael Silvestre before naming his side for Manchester United’s clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford tomorrow night.

Solskjaer injured his knee slightly during Saturday’s Barclaycard Premiership win over Blackburn and Silvestre was replaced by Denis Irwin at half-time after picking up a knock.

Ryan Giggs, who has not started a game since December 30, is standing by to take over from Solksjaer, with Irwin likely to start at full-back.

Ferguson could decide to make major changes to his back four, with Irish youngster John O’Shea an option at centre back if Gary Neville is switched to the right and Phil Neville the left.

Midfielder Nicky Butt, a regular in the side during the start of the current nine-match winning run, is back in contention.

He lost his place for the match at Southampton when a one-match ban coincided with an injury, but is now fully fit Sir Alex has to decide who to leave out if he is to make way for him.

Butt impressed while David Beckham was being rested and his return puts pressure on the England captain as well as other midfield regulars, Paul Scholes and Juan Sebastian Veron.

On Saturday, United fielded an unchanged side for the first time in 77 games.