Ferdinand makes United comeback - against Latics

ENGLAND captain Rio Ferdinand leads a star-studded Manchester United reserves line-up which takes on Athletic tonight.

The centre-back is making his first footballing appearance since sustaining an injury in training for his country ahead of the World Cup in South Africa.

Also in the United side for the Manchester Senior Cup tie at Stalybridge (7.30pm kick-off) are former England defender Wes Brown, Brazil international Anderson and striker Federico Macheda.

United reserves: Devlin, W Brown, Gill, Wootton, Ferdinand, de Laet, Macheda, Anderson, Cofie, Eikrem, Ajose. Subs: R Brown, Coll, Tunnicliffe, Lingard.

French triallist Julian Cherel has been named in the Athletic squad.

The centre-back, who made his Hartlepool debut against Athletic in January, has been a free agent since his summer release from the Victoria Park outfit.

Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy said: “Julian arrived at the club this week. The game at Bower Fold gives us a chance to take a closer look at him.”

Athletic reserves (from): Ollerenshaw, Matty D Carr, Matty A Carr, Lomax, Cherel, Jacobson, Hughes, Holdsworth, Worthington, Purdie, Crompton, Millar, Laird, Routledge, Highdale, Tarkowski.

Admission costs £4 for adults, with £2 concessions for the game at Bower Fold.

Meanwhile, Athletic boss Paul Dickov wasn’t surprised at the lack of movement in or out of Boundary Park ahead of yesterday’s transfer deadline.

“We knew that we couldn’t bring anybody in,” said Dickov.

“I am not going to moan about that as I knew it was the case beforehand.

“Four games previously we have done well and losing to Shrewsbury wasn’t down to not being able to bring people in – we just weren’t at the races.”

None of the five transfer-listed players at the club — Greg Fleming, Kelvin Lomax, Joe Jacobson, Rob Purdie, Jon Worthington — were picked up on a quiet day all round for Athletic.