Rio Ferdinand insists he will be fit for Manchester United's Champions League final with Barcelona in Rome next Wednesday.

Sir Alex Ferguson cast doubt on the defender's likely availability when he said Ferdinand would need to play at Hull on Sunday to stand any chance of being handed a starting slot against Barca.

However, the 30-year-old does not see an outing at the KC Stadium as essential to producing a top performance at the Stadio Olimpico, by which time it will have been three weeks since he injured a calf muscle at the end of United's semi-final win over Arsenal.

In any case, Ferdinand fully expects to have recovered.

He said: "I've not thought about not playing in the final. It's as simple as that, no chance.
"I trained with the ball today [Wednesday] and did some running, so I'm doing all the movements I need to be doing before a game.

"This has been perhaps the hardest and most important injury battle of my career. There is so much at stake.

"I haven't even thought much about the actual details of the final.

"I've been so engrossed in my injury that I haven't thought about much else. I'll start thinking about the actual match when I'm sitting on the plane to Rome."

He added: "You'll have to ask the manager if I'm playing, but physically I'd be able to do it, no problem."

Despite Ferdinand's reassurance, Ferguson is not convinced it is ideal to select anyone for such a huge game after they have spent so long on the sidelines.

And, in Northern Ireland star Jonny Evans, Ferguson knows he has the perfect replacement.
"I would not be bothered one bit if Evans played in the final," he said.

"The kid has had a fantastic season."

Indeed, should Evans get the nod it would set up the rather bizarre scenario of two players who last season were little more than reserve team stars at Old Trafford facing each other in Europe's showpiece club game, with Gerard Pique set to anchor the Barcelona defence.

The smart money must still be on Ferdinand making it, which would at least go some way to addressing the fears of the north-east's three clubs - who are all sweating to avoid the drop - about the strength of United's line-up at the KC Stadium.

"I am hoping Rio will be fit for Sunday," said Ferguson.

"If not he will be doubtful for Wednesday that is for sure because he needs a game.

"The plan is to have him back training tomorrow.
"Hopefully once he gets into football training we will have a better idea about his availability for Sunday.

"I think he will probably be fit to play next Wednesday but to go into the Champions League final after three weeks without a game is just too much."

While he is not in the habit of divulging his team in public a week before a big game, Ferdinand's presence apart, Ferguson is fairly settled on a starting line-up.

Definitely involved will be John O'Shea.
Only an unused substitute in last year's final against Chelsea, the Republic of Ireland international has been an effective performer in a number of defensive positions this term.

And, having done well at right-back in so many big games recently, O'Shea has already been guaranteed a starting spot.

"John takes his place in Rome because he deserves it," said Ferguson.

"He is ahead of everyone now. To my mind he is one of the unsung heroes, like we had when Denis Irwin was here."