Fergie sweats on injuries

SIR ALEX FERGUSON was counting the cost of Manchester United's demolition of Newcastle United as several of his players picked up injuries in the contest.

The Red Devils swept to the Premiership summit after a devastating 6-2 thrashing of The Magpies at St James' Park.

But United's ascent to the Premiership peak came at a price as a quartet of players collected knocks in the victory.

With a potential title decider against rivals Arsenal on Wednesday, Ferguson is sweating on the fitness of influential captain Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Wes Brown and John O'Shea.

"We have got two or three injuries," lamented Ferguson. "Roy came off with a dead leg.

"The most serious is John O'Shea who has a knee injury after a tackle from (Alan) Shearer. Brown has a tight hamstring and so does Giggs."

Ferguson was also delighted with the manner in which his team bounced back from their drubbing by Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek.

He added: "It's a great confidence boost - no question about that. We played very well and created some good openings. It was a matter of being patient and when we got back into the game we played some fantastic football.

"We would have accepted this score before the game! We're set up nicely now and have got to the position I hoped we would get to some months ago."