Source: Eurosport
Brown May Play A Part At Boro
Sir Alex Ferguson intends to ease Wes Brown back into first-team action in Manchester United's Premier League clash at Middlesbrough in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.[LNB]With the Red Devils anxiously awaiting the results of x-rays on the rib injury Rio Ferdinand suffered at the end of Wednesday night's Champions League win over Arsenal, Ferguson is faced with being without experienced cover at centre-half.[LNB]Jonny Evans is a certain replacement if, as expected, Ferdinand is ruled out.[LNB]However, the United boss would prefer not to move John O'Shea away from the right-back station where he performed so well at Old Trafford.[LNB]So, Brown, who has come through a couple of reserve team appearances since returning to action after a foot problem, will be on the bench at the Riverside, with Ferguson pledging to introduce the England defender at some point.[LNB]"Wes has been training with the first team and has played two reserve games," said Ferguson.[LNB]"He was with the squad today and there is a definite possibility he could play some part of the game on Saturday.[LNB]"I actually think it is important. I don't think he will start but he will play some part."[LNB]Ferguson needs to utilise his squad on Teesside as, with the second leg at the Emirates Stadium looming on Tuesday, he cannot afford to risk all his key men again.[LNB]"I do not think it is right that we have a lunchtime kick-off at Middlesbrough," he reflected.[LNB]"Obviously I will bring some freshness into the team. The defence will be the same, apart from Rio but the midfield and forwards could change completely."[LNB]Ferguson feels the one big advantage Arsenal have is their lack of a pressing need for points at Portsmouth on Saturday, whereas his own team require victory to maintain their lead at the Premier League summit.[LNB]"They can play Pat Rice at right-back and Arsene himself at centre-forward on Saturday," said Ferguson.[LNB]"We have to play a team to win the game."[LNB]
