Ferdinand boost for United

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Rio Ferdinand will be fit for next Monday's clash at Blackburn.

United boss expects tough Rovers clash

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Rio Ferdinand will be fit for next Monday's clash at Blackburn. It was feared Ferdinand could face another spell on the sidelines after being substituted late on in Monday's win over Fulham with a back problem. However, Ferguson claims Ferdinand was only taken off as a precaution and will be in the squad for the trip to Ewood Park after suffering no after-effects with the back injury. United will still be without Portuguese winger Nani for the clash with Blackburn, but have no fresh injury worries to contend with. "It'll be the same squad as Monday night with no changes," said Ferguson. "We expect Nani to train tomorrow but the game will come too soon for him. "Rio is okay, he just felt a bit stiff. We know the situation with that. We addressed it right away and put Chris Smalling on. He's fine." Ferguson is expecting another feisty encounter at Ewood Park with Blackburn battling to stay up "The game at Blackburn is always a difficult type of game," added Ferguson. "It has a local derby feeling about it and is always a bit feisty. "Last season, we came back from a goal down to win the league but we expect a difficult game. That's the way all the matches will be but hopefully we can navigate them."