Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has declared himself fit and ready to launch himself back into the Premier League title battle. Smalling has spent the last three weeks trying to overcome a head injury sustained in a clash of heads with Klaas Jan Huntelaar in England's friendly with Holland last month. His first comeback, wearing a Petr Cech-style cap, had to be aborted when the former Fulham defender split his stitches in the Europa League home defeat to Athletic Bilbao. The 22-year-old has fully recovered now though and came through a midweek reserve-team outing against Aston Villa without a problem.
"I feel good," he said. "It was the first time I'd not played with any protection and I came through it well. "The manager wants everyone out on that field to make sure he has a good squad to choose from. "That can only be beneficial in the weeks ahead. Having everyone fighting for a place and raring to go will help us." Ferguson has made the point on numerous occasions his players tend to recover when the season is reaching its conclusion and the major prizes are being handed out. This season is no exception. And unusually for United, this time around they only have one match a week ahead of them after being eliminated from every cup competition far earlier than they would normally expect. That may have a benefit though as they look to hold off Manchester City and claim a record 20th championship.
The order of fixtures may also play a part as United follow their neighbours into action for the next two weekends, which could pitch them into a tense game of catch-up. "I don't think it makes too much of a difference," said Smalling. "City will obviously feel the pressure to try and go ahead of us but we've dealt with that before and I don't think it will matter either way." Nani (ankle), Anders Lindegaard (ankle) and Michael Owen (thigh) are the only absentees, along with long-term casualties Nemanja Vidic and Darren Fletcher. Meanwhile, Fulham's Clint Dempsey has targeted a return to winning ways when the west Londoners travel to Old Trafford. The Cottagers head into the tough-looking match on the back of a last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa and last weekend's home thrashing by Swansea. The defeats left Fulham 12th in the Barclays Premier League, just weeks after a top-six finish was in sight following a three-game winning streak. Dempsey is keen make amends for their recent poor form, although he knows Fulham face a difficult task at Old Trafford.
"It's important for all teams to get as many points as possible because you want to finish as high as you can come the end of the season," he told the club's official website, fulhamfc.com. "Monday will be as good a day as any to try and bounce back following recent defeats to Aston Villa and Swansea. "It doesn't matter who you play, as long as you can get a result it's going to lift the spirits of the team. "So getting the win, no matter what, will lift the spirits of the team and will get us that little bit closer to where we want to be. "You always look forward to playing against the best teams in the league and Manchester United are certainly one of those that, come the end of the season, are always fighting for the title. "So that's why everyone wants to play in this league, to play against the best clubs in the world and they're certainly one of them." Zdenek Grygera (knee), Steve Sidwell (hernia) and Orlando Sa (hamstring) are expected to be the only notable absentees.
Man Utd V Fulham - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game live.
Source: PA
