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Injured Rooney 'may make bench against Wigan'

09/05/2008

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney may be fit for a place on the bench for this Sunday's final game of the Premier League season.

The England international is still struggling with a hip injury, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to have Rooney available to him as an impact substitute for the title decider.

United must beat the Latics at the JJB Stadium to be guaranteed of winning the domestic league title for a second successive season.

But if Ferguson's men slip up, second-placed Chelsea could pip them at the post by bettering their result against Bolton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge.

At his pre-match press conference Ferguson revealed that although Rooney is still touch and go for this weekend, he will "certainly be fit" for the Champions League final against Chelsea on May 21st.

Another key man for United who was considered a doubt for Sunday's fixture is central defender Nemanja Vidic.

However, the United boss revealed he is "hopeful" the Serbian international will recover from a concussion and will start alongside Rio Ferdinand at the heart of the defence.

"The next two training sessions [Friday and Saturday] are going to be very important for him," Ferguson told the official United website.

"We'll have had eight days to prepare by the time the game comes round on Sunday which is a bonus.

"The training sessions have been quite light and all the little niggles have cleared up. The mood is very good in the camp."