Fulham boss Roy Hodgson will give late fitness tests to Paul Konchesky and Andy Johnson ahead of the visit to Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United.
Both players have been struggling with muscle strains but will be given every chance to prove their fitness.
Dickson Etuhu is still out with the knee injury he sustained against Wigan, meaning on-loan Inter Milan midfielder Olivier Dacourt should continue in midfield.
Hodgson admits he would love to scour a Sir Alex Ferguson coaching manual for tips but has called on his Fulham side not to be in awe of Manchester United when the sides meet tomorrow night.
| Team |
Man Utd |
Fulham |
| Games Played |
24 |
23 |
| Goal Attempts |
| Goals |
41 |
22 |
| Ave Goals per game |
1.71 |
0.96 |
| Shots (excl blocked shots) |
322 |
217 |
| % Shots on Target |
48% |
42% |
| % Goals to Shots |
13% |
10% |
| Passing |
| Short Passes |
11,051 |
8,099 |
| Long Passes |
1,390 |
1,435 |
| Overall Pass Completion % |
84% |
75% |
| Crossing |
| Total Crosses |
713 |
487 |
| Cross Completion % |
23% |
24% |
| Defending |
| Goals Conceded |
10 |
19 |
| Ave goals conceded per game |
0.42 |
0.83 |
| Tackles |
472 |
523 |
| Tackles Won % |
71% |
72% |
| Blocks, Clearances & Interceptions |
1323 |
1490 |
| Discipline |
| Fouls |
284 |
276 |
| Yellow Cards |
41 |
23 |
| Red Cards |
2 |
1 |
Opta Index
Adam Marshall at Setanta |
Hodgson has enjoyed a high-profile and varied career in management, taking in stints with Serie A giants Inter Milan as well as Blackburn and the Swiss national side, but he would still relish the chance to learn from Ferguson.
Hodgson first came across the Scot two decades ago and has marvelled at his sustained success with the Red Devils.
"We're playing a team who are champions of England, champions of Europe and champions of the world in a fantastic stadium,'' said Hodgson.
"These are the sort of games everyone wants to play. We struggled at the end of last season and worked our socks off to stay in this division and the reason we did that was for games like this.
"Alex's qualities as a coach are well documented but what makes him special as a manager is his record.
"He took on a job 20 years ago which, even then, was considered one of the most difficult jobs in the country. Since then he's built an empire.
"They were a big club when he went there and now they are an institution around the world. He is a person who has been able to evolve with the times, keep abreast of things and he has a very good eye for a player.''
He added: "You could write books on how successful he has been; in fact I'm sure there have been books.
"But it would be nice one day to read a book when he tells you how he has managed to achieve this great success, then the rest of us could read it and try to follow it.''
Hodgson, though, is eager to point out that he expects neither himself nor his players to be wide-eyed at the prospect of visiting the Premier League pace-setters.
"Much as I'm prepared to sit here and say I'm really happy to go to Old Trafford, I'm not going to sit here like some schoolboy whose dreams are about to come true.
"I don't wish to seem arrogant or say I couldn't care less whether it's Old Trafford or the KC Stadium but I'm not a blue-eyed six-year-old saying `this is what I've always dreamed of' either.
"The truth is somewhere between those two things. We just have to go there and give as much as we can.''
Wayne Rooney is back after a seven-match absence as Manchester United look to open up a five-point advantage over Liverpool by beating Fulham at Old Trafford.
The England striker suffered a hamstring injury against Wigan a month ago but has now fully recovered and will be part of a much-changed United squad.
Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Carlos Tevez, Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov are among the big names who return following the FA Cup win at Derby, while Edwin van der Sar looks to complete an incredible 14th consecutive Premier League clean sheet.
Nemanja Vidic is determined to be a prominent figure in Manchester United's history - but for now he is maintaining a blinkered view of life.
Like Van der Sar, Vidic has been an ever-present member of the United defence during their record-breaking run, which they hope to extend to 14 consecutive Premier League clean sheets against Fulham tomorrow night.
Little wonder the tough-tackling Serbian has been installed as favourite for the PFA Player of the Year prize, despite the growing clamour for team-mate Ryan Giggs to win the prestigious award, and attracted admiring glances from AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Not that Vidic has any intention of going anywhere just yet, having relished the three years he has already spent at Old Trafford.
But, as United's trophy-hungry fans spy an unprecedented quintuple to gorge on, the 27-year-old wants to put the analysis of his place in the Hall of Fame on the backburner.
"I have improved my abilities and I have been part of a team that has won trophies and become part of the history of the club,'' said Vidic.
"It was definitely a good choice to join United, not that I ever worried whether it would be.
"It is always nice to break records and win things but that is something I will enjoy more when I have finished playing.
"Then I want to be able to say I worked hard and won a lot of things.
"But for now, there is no time to enjoy the trophies. You just think about each game.''