Ferdinand's fitness will be assessed in the morning after he limped out of the Barclays Premier League draw against Middlesbrough at the weekend with a foot problem.

"I am hoping Rio will play. His scan was clear, that was the important thing," Ferguson said.

"Therefore we are hoping we can get him fit to face Roma.

"We will report tomorrow at 11am, so he will have to do something at that time."

It looked as though he was heading for a spell on the sidelines like his defensive partner Nemanja Vidic, who has a knee injury.

Ferguson revealed today that Ferdinand may yet face the Italians in the quarter-final second leg at Old Trafford with United holding a 2-0 advantage.

However, should he fail to make it either Mikael Silvestre or Gary Neville are poised to step in after regaining full fitness.

Neville has been out for a year with an ankle problem while Silvestre has only just returned from a knee injury.

Ferguson said: "The good thing is they are both back and training well.

"Gary and Mikael will be involved and one of them may start depending on what happens to Rio.

"I am very confident of Gary's progress now and we know of his ability to play at this level.

"They both have good experience and that helps me in this situation."

While Neville is in line to make his 99th Champions League appearance, his team-mate Paul Scholes could reach the century mark in front of his home crowd.

Scholes has regained top form after a three-and-a-half-month absence with a knee injury and was influential in Rome.

Asked if the unassuming midfielder would be handed the armband, Ferguson quipped: "Paul would regard that as punishment!"

He added: "It took him a few weeks to get his rhythm back but now his form is fantastic."

With Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney continuing their scoring form at Middlesbrough following their goals in Italy, United emphasised their potent attacking force.

Both players look set to start even though there is an important Premier League match against Arsenal to follow on Sunday.

Ferguson said: "While there will be one or two changes, I have to play a team that is going to get through.

"It is difficult to leave Ronaldo out because of the form he is in.

"He has been absolutely outstanding this season and we need to get a result."

Ferguson has also been delighted with Rooney's all-round game.

"First of all he is only 21," said the United boss.

"So we are waiting for the completion of his potential.

"Hopefully that will occur in the next two to three years.

"In Rome he sacrificed his own role to help the team and that is the sign of a great player."

Ferguson is looking for his team to kick on right from the start against the Italian title-chasers.

He said: "My big hope is we can get the first goal. That will take the pressure off us and cause Roma a bigger problem.

"Knowing my team will try to do that and attack as best we can.

"We may have a bit of leeway but in a situation like this we never take anything for granted.

"We have to look on this as our most important match of the season.

"We worked our socks off in Rome and that is the kind of performance we need tomorrow."