Parry misses Fergie's first match

The former Cardiff player faces around a month on the sidelines with a knee problem. The 29-year-old first showed signs of the complaint when he was substituted during the 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United at the end of December. French centre-half Youl Mawene (knee ligaments) and midfielder Barry Nicholson (broken leg) remain sidelined. However, Mawene is making steady progress after suffering knee ligament damage during the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle in November. Ferguson, meanwhile, insists he will give his players opportunities to impress before looking to bring in new faces. Ferguson, who left Peterborough earlier this season, was last week appointed manager on a three-and-a-half-year contract.