MANCHESTER: Sir Alex Ferguson believes Rio Ferdinand is finally winning his battle against injury after the England defender stepped up his training with Manchester United.

Ferdinand has made just five league appearances for United this season and has not played since the defeat against Liverpool in late October because of a persistent back injury.

United have struggled with major injury concerns among their defenders recently and, although the problems are now easing, Ferguson revealed on Thursday that Irish international defender John O'Shea could be absent for a further two months.

But Ferdinand has been running in training and suffered no reaction, the first positive sign in his recuperation.

In his absence English champions United have still maintained a title challenge and a 5-0 thrashing of Wigan at Old Trafford on Wednesday left them just two points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Ferdinand's fellow centre-half Jonny Evans is at a slightly advanced stage in his own comeback and Ferguson predicts his return within ten days although the United manager is unwilling to put a precise date on Ferdinand's availability.

"We will see how Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans progress," said Ferguson.

"If they come through the physical work then they will go onto the football side. Jonny has been involved on the football side for a few days.

"Rio is not near that but there is no recurrence of the back problem with the running he's doing which is good news.

"That's the moment you're waiting for. He's come through that running and the training, he's doing the programme in the gym, which is good.

"At the moment it's looking very hopeful.

"We do not have a date in mind but, hopefully, it's not too far away and the signs are looking good. Jonny (Evans) should be back within the next ten days, he's doing well."

Meanwhile, Ferguson has conceded that O'Shea's thigh injury remains a concern and the Ireland defender could face a further two months on the sidelines after suffering a haematoma to his thigh on international duty in the World Cup play-off against France in mid-November.

"He is showing no signs at all of recovery," said Ferguson.

"It's his first ever injury at the club and he is a big loss because he was so versatile. He could play any position for us and now we've just got to get him back, it doesn't matter when. But it could be another couple of months."

However, with Gary Neville expected to be involved in Sunday's FA Cup third round tie against Leeds, United's immediate defensive crisis, which at one stage saw eight senior defenders out injured, has passed.

The return of Nemanja Vidic and Wes Brown to the centre of United's defence for the recent victories against Hull and Wigan has shown the value of having experience back in the team, according to the manager.

"You can see the difference it makes to the team, when you have two centre-backs back," said Ferguson, who celebrated his 68th birthday on Thursday.

"You saw with Vidic and Brown, the stability and strength they bring to the back is going to be important.

"The second half of the season doesn't hold any fears for us. We have got the squad, we hope we have everyone available and we have the confidence we can handle what's coming up over the next few months."