Source: Telegraph
Manchester United to recall under pressure Ben Foster for trip to Stoke
Foster, 26, was rested for the Carling Cup tie against Wolves in midweek after playing in every game for United so far this season.
High-profile errors against Manchester City last Sunday and the 2-1 victory over Arsenal last month have placed the spotlight on the former Stoke keeper's performances.
And Kuszczak's return to action in midweek had raised the prospect of Ferguson opting for the Poland keeper ahead of Foster at the Britannia Stadium.
But Ferguson insists that he will restore Foster to the starting line-up against Tony Pulis's team.
Ferguson said: "With Edwin van der Sar still three weeks away from fitness, we thought it was a good opportunity for Tomasz to play on Wednesday.
"But Ben will play tomorrow and I haven't had any doubts about that. Ben hasn't had a lot of game experience, but he will be ok."
Ferguson, who has no new injury worries from the Wolves clash, confirmed that all those on duty against City last Sunday will travel to Stoke.
And the United manager is hopeful that Owen Hargreaves will soon join the first-team squad after finally returning to Old Trafford this week.
The 28-year-old England midfielder, sidelined since undergoing double knee surgery last December, has spent the last six months undergoing rehabilitation at the Colorado clinic of knee specialist, Dr Richard Steadman.
Ferguson said: "Hargreaves is back now and I hope the boy gets a break and continues his rehab without any further mishaps.
"It's been a long time for the lad. Normally, when a player has been out for that length of time, he has been helped by doing his rehab with the other players.
"But the fact he did it on his own in America, under the guidance of Dr Steadman, is not easy.
"He has shown the determination and resilience to see it through, though, and he is now back with us.
"I feel that maybe it will still take us four weeks to get him into the rhythm of training again and get to the point of match-play, but hopefully he is on the way back."
Ferguson insists he has no concerns over Hargreaves' ability to return to his best after a year out.
He said: "He is young enough, so we don't it as a handicap the fact that he has been out a year.
"Other players who have had cruciate injuries have been out for long periods. Joe Cole, for instance, came back on Wednesday after nine months out at Chelsea.
"It's achievable particularly when they are young.
"The physios are discussing exactly what stage Owen is at, so I expect him to start football training quite soon."
United sealed a 1-0 victory at Stoke on Boxing Day last season, but Ferguson admits that his team face a tough test in the Potteries.
He said: "Stoke are a club on the way up. They had a very good home record last season, so we know it's not going to be an easy game.
"But the form of the team is coming and hopefully we can continue that way."
