Ferdinand and O'Shea passed fit

Rio Ferdinand and John O’Shea have been passed fit to play for Manchester United in Sunday’s Carling Cup final against Wigan …

Rio Ferdinand and John O’Shea have been passed fit to play for Manchester United in Sunday’s Carling Cup final against Wigan at the Millennium Stadium.

Ferdinand missed the FA Cup defeat at Liverpool last weekend with a hamstring injury but after intensive treatment earlier this week he is now expected to take his place in defence.

O’Shea is also available after recovering from fractured ribs and is an outside bet to claim a spot in a midfield which has already lost Paul Scholes and Alan Smith for the remainder of the campaign.

Wigan striker Jason Roberts is certain to return despite missing the club’s last three matches through suspension.

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Although sustaining a knee injury in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Spurs, centre-back Stephane Henchoz trained yesterday and is in line to partner captain Arjan de Zeeuw at the heart of the defence.

Reto Ziegler is available after being ineligible at White Hart Lane, leaving boss Paul Jewell to decide between the on-loan Spurs player, a fit-again Lee McCulloch and David Thompson for the left-wing role.