Source: Daily_Mail
Antonia Valencia set for Manchester United return in FA Cup quarter-final
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Antonio Valencia could make his comeback in Manchester United's FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal or Leyton Orient on March 12. Valencia has been out of action since suffering a badly broken ankle in the opening match of this season's Champions League against Rangers in September. But the Ecuador international returned to training last week and Ferguson confirmed a first-team appearance has been pencilled in. Ouch: Antonio Valencia (floored) has been out of action since breaking an ankle in September 'Antonio is training very well now,' the United boss said ahead of Wednesday's Champions League tie in Marseille. 'He is involved on the contact side and the signs are very encouraging. We expect him to be ready by the Arsenal cup tie.' Valencia was one of seven senior players who were missing when the Red Devils flew out of Manchester this morning. However, Ferguson does not view it as an insurmountable problem, especially as most of the absentees will be back for the second leg at Old Trafford in three weeks' time. Wing wizard: Valencia was one of the stars of United's season last term'Anderson got injured in the first half on Saturday,' Ferguson added. 'We have sent him to Portugal to see a specialist he has dealt with over there. That will be two weeks, three at the most. 'Ryan Giggs should be okay for the Wigan game on Saturday, while Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans should be back for the Chelsea game next week. 'We have missed Park Ji-sung because he has been such a good player for us, but he should be back in two or three weeks.' Ferguson, meanwhile, left no-one in any doubt who he blamed for the stormy nature of Heinze's departure, absolving the player from any responsibility. Relief: It was feared Anderson could be out for two months but the midfielder will miss just two or three weeks 'I have no issues at all with Gabriel Heinze,' he said. 'It was not down to him. It was a bad agent that engineered the situation. 'He tried to trick (chief executive) David Gill, which we then proved to have no foundation, and we stopped his attempt to get him to Liverpool. 'Gabriel was a fantastic player for us. In his three years, he did very well.' Ferdinand, Giggs and Owen among United's missing five for Marseille visitFergie welcomed by a 'bonfire of passions' at the. Marseille bearpit! Carrick still revels in buzz of Champions League as United prepare to face MarseilleAll the latest Manchester United FC news, features and opinion Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Ryan Giggs, Park Ji-sung, Rio Ferdinand, Gabriel Heinze, Antonio Valencia, David Gill Places: Liverpool, Manchester, Ecuador, Portugal