Fergie hopes Rio remains fit

SIR ALEX FERGUSON is crossing his fingers Rio Ferdinand's second comeback from a long-term back injury goes without a hitch.

The new England captain is set to make his Manchester United reappearance in tonight's Champions League clash with AC Milan at the San Siro, having served three games of a four-match domestic ban.

Of more importance than the suspension for taking a swipe at Hull's Craig Fagan – and then getting an extra match bolted on for a "frivolous" appeal – is how Ferdinand's body reacts to the big-match atmosphere given he was out of action for more than three months prior to his initial return to the fray.

Fabio Capello is bound to be an interested observer given he has elevated Ferdinand to England skipper in the wake of John Terry's demise. But United's need is more immediate, which is why Ferguson is hoping for the best.

"I certainly hope he is all right until the end of the season," he said. "We have done a lot of work and he has too.

"Even non-sportsmen know how difficult back injuries can be but he has had no problem since he started back ten weeks ago.

"He has done his core work, which has helped him and he will probably start."