Rio Ferdinand returns after injury for Manchester United reserves
Rio Ferdinand making his comeback for Manchester United reserves against Oldham.
There was good news for England and Manchester United tonight after Rio Ferdinand stepped up his return to fitness by playing in his first match since suffering the knee injury that wrecked his World Cup.Ferdinand managed 45 minutes for Manchester United's reserves against Oldham Athletic, almost three months since damaging knee ligaments in an accidental collision with his England team-mate Emile Heskey in training.The defender now hopes to be involved when Sir Alex Ferguson's team play Everton at Goodison Park on 11 September, their first game after the international break.Anderson, the Brazilian midfielder likewise recovering from a knee injury, was also involved in the Manchester Senior Cup tie, which saw Wes Brown joined in defence by his younger brother Reece.England have missed their central defender, never more so than this week as Fabio Capello, given the injuries that have ruled out Ferdinand and John Terry, faces having to choose a defensive pairing of Michael Dawson, whose only cap was gained against Hungary last month, and the recalled Matthew Upson at centre-half for the first time together in Friday's opening Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria at Wembley.
