Ferdinand back for the champions league tie …

Sir Alex Ferguson hopes Rio Ferdinand can play in Manchester United's UEFA Champions League tie with Roma.

Ferdinand was rated a major doubt for Wednesday's second leg of the quarter-final after suffering a foot injury against Middlesbrough on Sunday.

The centre-half left the Riverside with his foot in a protective cast and there were fears that Ferdinand had broken a metatarsal.

United confirmed on Monday that the England international had only suffered bruising, but reports claimed he would miss the club's next two games.

However, Ferguson has revealed at a press conference that Ferdinand could be involved in his team for Wednesday's second leg.

"I'm hoping he will be playing tomorrow," said Ferguson. "His scan was clear, which was good news.

"That's the most important thing and therefore we hope we can get him fit for tomorrow."

Ferdinand's potential availability is a big boost to United, who hold a 2-0 lead going into the tie, as Nemanja Vidic is out for at least a further week with a knee injury.

If Ferdinand had been ruled out of Roma's visit, then Wes Brown and Gerard Pique would likely have been partnered in the heart of the defence.

Captain Gary Neville and Mikael Silvestre are also in the squad for Wednesday night and Ferguson has said one of the defensive duo could start.

The United boss added: "Neville and Silvestre will both be involved and one of them may start depending on Rio.

"The good thing is that they are both back and training very well with no interruptions, which is the best news we've had about Gary for a few months now.

"I'm very confident about his progress now and his ability to play in a match like tomorrow. They have both got good experience and that helps me in terms of making a decision."