Scan shows no break in Ferdinand's foot

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United received a boost ahead of their Champions League quarter-final, second leg at home to AS Roma with the news on Monday that defender Rio Ferdinand has not broken a bone in his foot.

The England defender is still doubtful for Wednesday's match at Old Trafford, however, with United's medical staff not confirming how long he might be out of action.

"Rio went for a scan on Monday and we can confirm that he has not suffered any break," a club official told United's Web site (www.manutd.com).

Manager Alex Ferguson had feared the worst after watching the England defender limp off in the second half of Sunday's 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough that leaves United three points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League with five games left.

Ferguson has already lost Ferdinand's defensive partner Nemanja Vidic for at least two weeks. The partnership has played a big part in United's assault on Premier League and Champions League honours this season.

Ferguson, whose team won the first leg 2-0 in Rome last week, is expected to provide an update on Ferdinand at his pre-match news conference on Tuesday.

(Reporting by Neil Maidment, editing by Rex Gowar)