Defensive boost for Fergie as crocked Smalling nears return to training for United



Manchester United's defensive problems have eased with news that Chris Smalling is back in training.



Smalling has been out since last season with a broken foot, but it is understood that he has joined in with the football work in training and could be an outside contender for a place on the bench at Newcastle on Sunday.



Sir Alex Ferguson only has two of his senior centre-halves fit at the moment.



Close: Chris Smalling has been training again with his Manchester United team-mates

Rio Ferdinand has partnered Jonny Evans, who is standing in for the injured Nemanja Vidic.



The Serbian is out for another six weeks at least with a knee injury.

Ferguson was fuming with his defence's slack showing as they suffered a 3-2 defeat against Tottenham on Saturday.

Ferdinand was, at least in part, culpable for all three goals, as Jan Vertonghen, Gareth Bale and Clint Dempsey each breached the United defence.

Their leaky back four also conceded an early goal to minnows FC Cluj in the Champions League on Tuesday, before coming from behind to win 2-1 in Romania.



Patrice Evra was unable to prevent a cross coming in from the right before Ferdinand and Evans failed to deal with Pantelis Kapetanos, allowing the striker to fire home.

Phil Jones is also sidelined with a knee injury after suffering a setback earlier this season in training. He isn't expected to return until next month.



Should either Ferdinand or Evans get injured or suspended, Ferguson will be forced to haul Michael Carrick back into the centre of his defence, a positionthe central midfielder isn't entirely comfortable with.

Patched up: Alex Ferguson has only Rio Ferdinand (right) and Jonny Evans to call upon at the back

Stand-in: Evans is playing in the centre of defence in the absence of Nemanja Vidic



