Rio Ferdinand battles for final fitness

With the Premier League already won, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will spend the next week working out the permutations for his squad for his club's season finale, the Champions League final against Barcelona in Rome.

Fergie's biggest headache appears to be in defence, where stalwart Rio Ferdinand has been missing for the last two weeks. The England centre back is understandably keen to pit himself against the Catalans' forward line of Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry, but will have to prove his fitness by facing Hull at the KC Stadium on Sunday.

Ferdinand told the Daily Mail: "I've not thought about not playing in the final. It's as simple as that - no chance.This has been perhaps the hardest and most important injury battle of my career. There is so much at stake."

There are no worries about his central partner, Nemanja Vidic, but Ferguson has guaranteed John O'Shea a starting place in the team for next Wednesday after the Irishman has performed creditably across the back for the Premier League champions. "John takes his place in Rome because he deserves it,' said Ferguson.

The Scotsman has also suggested that Jonny Evans might be brought into the line-up for the final if Ferdinand is unable to play, although whether this is kidology on his behalf aimed at Barcelona remains to be seen.

There are no injury worries across the midfield or up front, with Darren Fletcher's suspension the only limiting factor on Ferguson putting out his favoured starting eleven. But there is great debate going on about what shape Manchester United will deploy their attacking players in.

Barcelona's central defender Gerard Pique thinks that Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing in the middle of the park, which would suggest Dimitar Berbatov or Carlos Tevez would miss out on the starting line-up, with Wayne Rooney playing off the Portguese star.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Daniel Taylor, the Guardian: "Ferdinand's optimistic assessment was in stark contrast to Ferguson's own take on the subject only a few hours earlier when Manchester United's manager told a roomful of journalists, including many from Spain, that Ferdinand might not be able to start against Barcelona because of the problem that has led to him missing him the last three matches. Ferguson spoke extensively about the possibility of Jonny Evans partnering Nemanja Vidic in Rome next Wednesday and said Ferdinand would not be ready for the starting XI unless he proved his fitness in Sunday's game at Hull City."

Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail: "Thierry Henry and Andres Iniesta have stepped up their recuperation programmes and both players are expected to be fit for Barcelona. That means Pep Guardiola's only selection problem will be to decide who fills in for the suspended Eric Abidal at left back." ·