Premiership: Fergie silent on Barthez
Alex Ferguson is staying tight-lipped about whether he will rest goalkeeper Fabien Barthez following his blunders against Arsenal on Sunday.
But Andy Cole is ready to step back for United as they prepare to face Chelsea at Old Trafford tomorrow.
Cole is added to the squad after five games out with a thigh injury. The England striker last played in the Champions League against Lille in October, but Ferguson said: ‘‘Andy is close to coming back.’’
Full-back Denis Irwin is out with a knee injury and joins long-term casualties Ryan Giggs and Ronny Johnsen. Both are not expected to return until the new year.
Team (from): Barthez, G Neville, Blanc, Brown, Silvestre, Beckham, Keane, Veron, Fortune, Scholes, van Nistelrooy, Cole, Yorke, Butt, P Neville, Chadwick, Carroll.
