Ferguson hopes Brown will be fit for Cup tie

Manchester United defender Wes Brown missed training today with a thigh strain ahead of the FA Cup tie against West Ham on Sunday.

However, manager Sir Alex Ferguson expects Brown to be fit for the fourth-round match at Old Trafford.

Striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer comes back into contention after suffering an ankle injury in the victory over Chelsea last weekend.

Midfielder Nicky Butt could also figure. He had another run-out in the reserves last night after recovering from a long-term ankle problem.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD: Barthez, G Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre, Beckham, Veron, Keane, Giggs, Scholes, van Nistelrooy, Solskjaer, Butt, P Neville, Forlan, O’Shea, Carroll.