Source: Daily_Mail
Sir Alex backs injured Ferdinand to return in weeks rather than months
Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Rio Ferdinand will not be consigned to a lengthy period on the sidelines after identifying the root of his current injury problems.[LNB]Ferdinand has missed the last couple of weeks' action with Manchester United after picking up what was thought to be a calf injury.[LNB] He'll be back: Ferdinand has been plagued by a troublesome back injury this season but manager Ferguson expects him to recover swiftly[LNB]However, it has now been confirmed the injury relates to a previous problem with his lower back.[LNB]The England defender will not be fit for Saturday's Barclays Premier League encounter with Everton at Old Trafford, but the 31-year-old should be back in action soon.[LNB]Defensive headache: Nemanja Vidic returns but United are without Jonny Evans and John O'Shea[LNB]'It is back related,' Ferguson said. [LNB]'We are not putting a timescale on it but it is not a situation where we are saying it will be months, it might be a couple of weeks or it might be a few weeks but that is it.'[LNB]With Ferdinand out, Ferguson is relieved to have Nemanja Vidic available after he missed the defeat at Chelsea immediately before the international break with a calf problem.[LNB]However, Gary Neville is suspended and John O'Shea is almost certain to miss out with a thigh injury picked up in the Republic of Ireland's controversial World Cup exit in France on Wednesday.[LNB]Northern Ireland international Jonny Evans is a doubt as well, leaving Ferguson with some 'patching up' to do in defence.[LNB] Ferdinand out until 2010 - injured Man United ace will miss at least 15 matchesVidic boost for United after defender returns to action in Serbia strollFerguson gives Ferdinand the green light to enter Hell's Kitchen contestMANCHESTER UNITED FC
