Trio in race to earn their Spurs

Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping Rio Ferdinand, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Carrick will be fit for Manchester United's trip to Tottenham.

Former Spurs duo Berbatov and Carrick both missed the Red Devils' 2-2 Champions League draw against Aalborg on Wednesday night, while Ferdinand just managed to finish the game at Old Trafford despite suffering a back spasm during the clash. However Ferguson is looking to get the trio fit for the tough game at White Hart Lane given that Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra are both suspended.

The United boss recognises the game at Spurs could hold the key to their aspirations of retaining the Premier League title as the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea can extend their lead over them next weekend when his side are away in Japan on Club World Cup duty. Therefore defeat on Saturday could be very costly given that Rafa Benitez's Reds are already six points in front of them.

"It is one of our most important games of the season," said Ferguson. "We have a great record down there and hopefully we still will have after Saturday."

Ferguson, who watched Spurs win 2-0 at West Ham on Monday, knows it will not be an easy game in north London as Harry Redknapp has got them firing since replacing Juande Ramos as manager.

He added: "Tottenham are in good form.

"They played well on Monday and had control of the game, so I am expecting a close contest and a good match.

"It always is against Tottenham. It is a game that people look forward to because there is usually a quality about it, particularly at White Hart Lane, and there quite often a few goals."