WANDERERS' chances of causing a derby upset at Old Trafford next week have been boosted by news that Manchester United are in the grip of a manpower "crisis".
While Sam Allardyce will have Abdoulaye Meite available after suspension and is hoping to have Kevin Davies fit to return to the attack, Sir Alex Ferguson has so many problems he is ready to give Alan Smith a lead role for the first time since he recovered from the horrific injuries he suffered at Liverpool 13 months ago.
United, triumphant in the European Champions League in midweek, continue their treble bid when they take on Middlesbrough at the Riverside for a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
But, less than a fortnight after Jose Mourinho claimed Ferguson was getting all the luck in the battle for silverware, the Reds' boss is beset with problems.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Louis Saha, Darren Fletcher and Mikael Silvestre, who dislocated his right shoulder in Wednesday night's victory over Lille, are all out for a minimum of two weeks, Paul Scholes is about to start a three-match ban and Henrik Larsson returns to Sweden next Wednesday after completing his loan spell with the Reds.
Indeed, Ferguson's claim that he "would do anything" to keep the Swede suggests the United boss is not entirely convinced about his alternatives.
Wayne Rooney did not look totally at ease in the win over Lille, while Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo lack the physical prowess of most orthodox strikers.
So Ferguson is hoping Smith can rise to the occasion.
The former Leeds striker has already been forced to abort one comeback from the broken leg and dislocated ankle he suffered at Anfield in February last year.
But, after starting his second return attempt with a late substitute appearance in the 1-0 victory over Lille, Ferguson has confirmed that the 26-year-old former Leeds United man is in the equation.
"We are asking questions about how we rotate the squad and who should play up front. Alan Smith comes into that," he said "As soon as we scored I knew it was effectively the end of the game, so it was a great opportunity to give Alan a share of it.
"He will be involved again at Middlesbrough on Saturday and is certainly back in the frame."
Smith is hardly a renowned goalscorer, finding the net just once last season and not at all in his five outings this term.
But Ferguson has not forgotten how prolific he was immediately after his move from Elland Road. And, after rejecting the chance of a loan move away from Old Trafford, Smith has impressed his manager with his determination to regain full fitness, even after the false start to his recovery which saw him pulled out of the action after a disappointing display at Southend in November.
"Alan has had a terrible time," Ferguson said. "It has been difficult because we thought he was doing well in pre-season but he didn't show that when we played him in the games against Southend and Crewe and he knew himself.
"We put him on a programme of speed work right through December, since when Alan has had to wait, partly because of the other players we had available and partly because of the form of the team."
Ferguson is confident, however, that United can cope with their problems.
"You always hope you have everyone fit but it doesn't always work that way," he added.
"We had injuries at the start of the season and adapted. That is exactly what we will do now."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article