SOCCER: Alex Ferguson has written off Gabriel Heinze's chances of appearing in next summer's World Cup finals.
As he prepares to welcome one old favourite back into the fold over the festive period in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Manchester United boss had only bleak news for his popular Argentinian full-back.
Heinze ruptured cruciate ligaments in the Champions League draw with Villarreal in September and, while the timescale was tight, the 27-year-old felt he had an outside chance of getting to Germany.
That belief was reinforced by Argentina coach Jose Pekerman, who has indicated the former Paris St Germain star could be in his 23-man squad.
Ferguson fully understands why the defender, who won both the supporters' and players' player of the year awards in his first season with the Red Devils, is desperate to be fit, but does not think he will make it.
"I know Gaby wants to play in the World Cup, every player would want that, but I can't see it myself," said Ferguson.
"I would have thought it was very unlikely he would play before the end of the season. My stance is that he won't be available until next year."
United have certainly struggled to cope with the loss of Heinze.
Both John O'Shea and Kieran Richardson have looked unconvincing in the left-back role at times, although Mikael Silvestre offers another alternative for the St Stephen's Day encounter with West Brom now the Frenchman has shrugged off the groin injury which sidelined him for United's last two Premiership games.
The return of Solskjaer would receive much wider acclaim.
It is only a matter of weeks since Ferguson suggested the Norwegian, who famously netted the goal which steered United to Champions League glory in 1999, might never play again.
Instead, the 32-year-old is two reserve team outings into his comeback from two bouts of knee surgery and could be ready to end a first-team exile which stretches back to a substitute appearance in the FA Cup final triumph over Millwall in 2003.
"Ole has been training every day and it is possible he could be on the bench over Christmas," confirmed Ferguson. "It all depends on what happens injury wise."
In all probability, given United follow up encounters against West Brom and Birmingham with more taxing fixtures with Bolton and Arsenal, Solskjaer may be forced to wait until the FA Cup tie with non-league Burton Albion on January 8th for a return to senior duty.
With fit-again Louis Saha joining Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney on the goal trail and promising 18-year-old Giuseppe Rossi starting to emerge, United seem blessed in the striking department.
The suggestion Saha could be unloaded to West Ham, who are rumoured to be bidding £7 million for a player who cost United £12.8 million from Fulham two years ago, received short shrift from Ferguson.
"Absolutely," was his reply when it was put to the Scot Saha was going nowhere, and again when it was suggested he would not entertain selling him.
Saha is one of the notable exceptions to Ferguson's general belief that the January transfer window is one to avoid.
But with United now out of Europe and still nine points adrift of Chelsea despite winning six of their last seven, Ferguson may opt to take the plunge this time around.
Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic remains number one on Ferguson's list, even though a meeting in London between United officials and those of the 24-year-old's current club, Spartak Moscow, on Monday failed to reach an agreement over a fee for the £8 million-rated international.
Paolo Di Canio will contest a one-match ban imposed for giving a stiff-arm salute on the grounds that he admits to being fascist but denies being racist, according to Italian news reports.
The Lazio veteran, who also played for Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham, Charlton and Celtic, is facing further possible action from world governing body Fifa for using the stiff-arm salute while playing for his current club.
Di Canio is appealing against a one-match ban and a €100,000 fine imposed by Italian football officials after he gave the salute during Lazio's match with Juventus.
The 37-year-old has hired a lawyer to defend him.
Monday's Premiership matches
12.45: Charlton v Arsenal (Sky 1)
1.00: Chelsea v Fulham
1.00: Tottenham v Birmingham
3.00: Liverpool v Newcastle (Prem Plus)
3.00: Man Utd v West Brom
3.00: Middlesbrough v Blackburn
3.00: Portsmouth v West Ham
3.00: Sunderland v Bolton
3.00: Wigan v Man City
5.15: Aston Villa v Everton (Sky 1)
