Berbatov ruled out of Porto tie
Friday, April 3, 2009
Article summary
Manchester United FC striker Dimitar Berbatov is expected to miss both legs of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final against FC Porto after being ruled out for a further two weeks, though Gary Neville could return.
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Manchester United FC striker Dimitar Berbatov is expected to miss both legs of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final against FC Porto after being ruled out for a further two weeks with an ankle injury.
Porto dates
The Bulgarian sustained the injury during the first half of United's 2-0 defeat at Fulham FC on 21 March and missed his country's FIFA World Cup qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus. Although Berbatov, 28, is unlikely to feature in either Tuesday's home first leg against Porto or the return in Portugal the following Wednesday, captain Gary Neville could yet make the squad after returning from a groin injury in a reserve game against Newcastle United FC on Monday.
Neville fit
The 34-year-old right-back has not featured for the first team since 31 January but is in contention to face Aston Villa FC in the Premier League on Sunday. "Gary did very well in the reserves at Newcastle," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "You could tell he needed a game. But his training has been very good, and he comes into the picture for Sunday."
