Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hopes Rio Ferdinand is fit for their clash at Stoke City.

Ferguson would like to have Ferdinand back to offer some reassurance to his youthful squad.

"I'm hoping Rio will be okay for Saturday," said Ferguson.

"When you go to Stoke you need a bit of experience.

"Rio came into the team when we played at Bolton and gave us that experience, so we hope he'll be fit for Saturday."