MANCHESTER: Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand will end a three-month absence by playing against Hull on Saturday after finally overcoming his injury problems.

The England centre-back has not played since United’s 2-0 defeat at Liverpool on October 25 and fears had grown over his long-term fitness. Boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: “Rio has been training very well in the last few weeks. He will play on Saturday.” Ferdinand has featured only eight times for his club this season. He has missed 19 games for United, and also sat out England’s friendly with Brazil, after suffering what was reported to be a calf injury believed to be related to a long-standing back problem.

Ferdinand underwent intensive treatment in London and Ferguson is now happy that his player is ready to return. “This is the time to bring him back,” added the Scot. “We have gone through the whole situation with him in terms of enough training and endurance work. It is a big boost because the defence has been the weakest part of our game this season.”