United chief ponders Rio dilemma

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has not entirely ruled Rio Ferdinand out of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Chelsea.

But the deposed England captain is more likely to return from injury next weekend.

Ferdinand has not made an appearance since suffering a calf problem in the warm-up prior to the Premier League defeat at Wolves at the beginning of February.

So slow had been the 32-year-old's progress that Ferguson had raised doubts over his ability to get back on the pitch before the end of the season.

However, Ferdinand has resumed training this week and, so far, come through without a reaction.