Rio ready for Euro action

Published: 14 Apr 2009 - 18:29:10

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Rio Ferdinand will be fit to face Porto in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. The commanding centre-half has missed United's last three games after picking a groin injury while on World Cup qualifying duty with England against Ukraine on 1st April. The 30-year-old has resumed full training, though, and will be thrown back into European action in midweek. With United needing to win in Portugal to secure their safe passage to the semi-finals of the Champions League, having drawn 2-2 in the first leg of their last eight meeting at Old Trafford, Ferguson is delighted to be welcoming Ferdinand back into the fold. "We think Rio is fit," he said. "He trained on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and he will start tomorrow." United have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last five outings but the return of Ferdinand alongside Nemanja Vidic should bring some much-needed stability to their back four. "There is a lot of quality in Rio's game, so he is obviously going to make a difference," added Ferguson. "Also it gets us back the partnership between Rio and Nemanja Vidic, which has been the cornerstone of our great defensive performances this season. "That is the difference he will make."