Chelsea’s chance to prove credential

All three will, however, be back in action for tomorrow’s Premiership summit meeting at Stamford Bridge, along with skipper Roy Keane, who was spared the trip to Greece because of a minor hamstring concern.

Ferguson was a high-profile sceptic about Chelsea’s ability to effectively absorb the huge influx of new talent made possible by Roman Abramovich’s apparently bottomless pockets.

But the Scot is full of admiration for the work done by Claudio Ranieri managing his star-packed squad in a way which has ensured Chelsea currently sit a point above the champions in the Premiership table.

‘‘To bring in new players and get the start they did is not easy’’, Ferguson said. ‘‘They’ve done that part well so I think they are definitely going to be a challenge for us.’’

Regardless of the outcome of tomorrow’s meeting, Ferguson expects the three-way title race to run to the end of the season. ‘‘The three of us are looking very strong. Neither of us are making any huge mistakes, which means that, when we come to play each other, the games are vital. That may decide the league this year.’’

Ranieri continued to doggedly play down his side’s title chances, insisting they still have their work cut out to topple United from their perch. ‘‘They are the champions and we are happy to play against them to compare how big the gap is’’, was how he set the scene for tomorrow’s clash.

Juan Sebastian Veron’s back strain has deprived the Argentinian of the chance of making his first appearance against his former club and should allow Joe Cole to retain his starting place in the Chelsea side.

Ranieri has a selection dilemma in defence with fit-again skipper Marcel Desailly pressing for a return to a side in which William Gallas and John Terry have forged a reliable centre-back partnership.(Reuters)