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Vidic's return eases Rio blow
Manchester United, 11:56, January 29, 2010 ,
Nemanja Vidic is set to return to the Manchester United defence for Sunday's trip to Arsenal as Rio Ferdinand starts a four-match ban.
Sir Alex Ferguson was left 'confused' by the FA disciplinary panel's decision to label United's appeal against Ferdinand's violent conduct charge for an attack on Hull's Craig Fagan last weekend as "frivolous". As a result the FA added an extra game on top of his initial three-match suspension so the England international will sit out the game against the Gunners in addition to upcoming matches with Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Everton.
The impact of Ferdinand's absence will be eased by fellow defender Vidic's timely return from a nerve problem down the right side of his leg which has kept him out for six games.
Meanwhile Ferguson has no injury problems from the Carling Cup semi-final win against Manchester City in the week.
He told the club's website: "Everyone has come through Wednesday's game, which is good news. Obviously we're going to miss Rio because of his ban, but other than that, they're all fit.
"The game is, to my mind looking at how the league is shaping up, is the biggest game of the season for us. With Arsenal going on a consistent run, it's amazing how this league has changed. If you get a few wins, as I've said all along, seems to suggest that the team that is the most consistent will win the league now."