Manchester United have being given a boost ahead of their Champions League clash with Roma on Wednesday, with the news that Rio Ferdinand could play some parting the game.

Rio Ferdinand was injured during Man Utd’s 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough on Sunday and there was some concern about the injury. But a scan revealed that there were no broken bones and it wasn’t as bad an injury as first thought.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was going to give Ferdinand a late fitness test on Wednesday but if he doesn’t make the game then Gary Neville or Mikael Silvestre will play in the England centre back’s position.

Both Neville and Silvestre are returning from long term injuries themselves. Silvestre hasn’t played since September whilst Neville has been sidelined for 13 months.

Ferguson is hopeful that Ferdinand will play in the Roma match but is just relieved that the scan showed no broken bones.

One player Manchester United will have to make do without is Ferdinand’s central defensive partner Nemanja Vidic, who is set to miss the next two to three weeks with a knee injury after falling badly during last week’s first leg tie against Roma in Rome.