Ferguson gives Rio time to prove fitness

Alex Ferguson will give defender Rio Ferdinand until the last minute to prove his fitness ahead of tomorrow night’s Premiership trip to Chelsea.

Ferdinand, who suffered an ankle injury in a pre-season friendly against Boca Juniors, will travel south with the United party, but seems unlikely to be risked at Stamford Bridge.

Goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, who is recovering from a hip problem, is also struggling for tomorrow night’s game, but could be fit to face Hungarian side Zalaegerszeg in the club’s vital Champions League qualifier at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD: Carroll, Williams, P. Neville, Silvestre, Ferdinand, Blanc, O’Shea, Beckham, Keane, Butt, Veron, Scholes, Giggs, Forlan, Van Nistelrooy, Solskjaer, Stewart, Tierney, Pugh.