Fitness boost for United duo
24 Dec 2007 - 09:22:18
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson expects both Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves to be fit for the Boxing Day trip to Sunderland.
The two England internationals missed Sunday's 2-1 victory over Everton at Old Trafford with foot and back knocks respectively, but should be fit for the visit to the Stadium of Light.
However, goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar is definitely out of the clash with the Wearsiders and will miss the entire festive period with a groin problem.
Tomasz Kuszczak deputised for the veteran Netherlands international against the Toffees with youngster Tom Heaton on the bench.
"We hope Rio and Owen will be ready for Wednesday, but Edwin is out for the next two or three games with a groin injury," Ferguson told the club's official website.
"We'll have a different team (at Sunderland) and I'll freshen things up a bit with one of two changes.
"I've got players like (Darren) Fletcher, (John) O'Shea, Nani, (Louis) Saha and Ji-Sung Park, who is back in the squad now.
"They're all fit and fresh so we've got a few options. I won't make a lot of changes, just one or two."
