Manchester United management are confident Rio Ferdinand will be fit for their Champions League clash with Inter Milan on Wednesday.

The Daily Mail says United's medical staff have been encouraged by his progress after he limped out of Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final win at Fulham.

The 30-year-old England centre back turned his ankle and left Craven Cottage wearing a plastic boot to protect the injury. However, a post-match scan showed no major damage and the player believes he will recover in time to face Italy's champions.

He has a slight swelling around the joint and manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Rio's a bit of a concern. We just have to wait and see how he is. I just hope he makes Wednesday because he's such an important player to us."

In the mind games that will lead up to the second leg of the last 16 tie - the first leg finished goalless - Ferguson will try to keep old rival Jose Mourinho guessing over Ferdinand's fitness.