Rooney missed training this morning due to injury, explains Ferguson

Alex Ferguson has explained striker Wayne Rooney's much-discussed absence from training this morning.

When asked why his striker, currently facing a two-match ban for swearing into a TV camera on Saturday, sat out the session, the Manchester United manager replied:

"He missed training this morning, he was having treatment.

"It's the front of his shin, a really bad bruise, but we hope he'll be okay."

Ferguson was upbeat about the likely reinforcement of his defensive line, with a number of injury problems at the back beginning to ease.

"We have had some injury problems, particularly in the defensive positions but hopefully that is coming to an end.

"(Jonny) Evans is available probably tomorrow. He was suspended at the weekend after a red card. Ferdinand has been training for over a week, but whether he is ready for this game I'm not sure.

"Rafa Da Silva is available, he's been training for over a week after his hamstring, and (John) O'Shea and (Wes) Brown are back training, so definitely the situation is getting better.

"Hopefully that will be the case tomorrow."