MANCHESTER (Reuters) - Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand could be fit for the Champions League quarter-final, second leg against AS Roma at Old Trafford, manager Alex Ferguson said on Tuesday.

Ferdinand was expected to miss Wednesday's match, with United defending a 2-0 lead at Old Trafford, after injuring his left foot in Sunday's 2-2 Premier League draw at Middlesbrough.

But Ferguson, who is already without injured Serbia central defender Nemanja Vidic, will wait on the results of a fitness test on Wednesday before making a decision.

"I am hoping he'll be playing tomorrow," Ferguson told a news conference.

""The scan was clear, which was good news. That was the most important thing and therefore we hope that we can get him fit tomorrow.

"We report tomorrow at 11 o'clock and he will have to do something in the morning. We hope that's the case."

Premier League leaders United kept five successive clean sheets before the draw at Middlesbrough and know that limiting Roma to no more than one goal will take them into a second successive Champions League semi-final.

FERDINAND BOOST

Having Ferdinand available would boost their prospects but Ferguson has potential back-up in Mikael Silvestre and Gary Neville.

Both have recovered from long-term injuries and offer alternatives to Wes Brown, John O'Shea and Gerard Pique in the centre of defence and at right-back.

"Both will be involved," Ferguson added. "One may start depending on Rio Ferdinand. It's a possibility but I'm hopeful that both will get part of a game tomorrow.

"The good thing about both of them is that they have got good experience. That helps me in terms of making a decision."

Roma arrive in Manchester having lost twice at Old Trafford in the past 12 months -- a 7-1 defeat in last year's quarter-final and a 1-0 loss in this season's group stage.

Ferguson hopes his side again can strike early but refuses to accept that the outcome, and a last-four clash against Barcelona or Schalke 04, is a foregone conclusion.

"That is our big hope, that we can get the first goal. That will take the pressure off us and give a bigger problem to Roma," he said.

"We have some leeway but we are not taking anything for granted and therefore we look on this match as the most important thing of the season for us.

"We have got one foot in the semi-final. To get two feet in, the best way is to approach the game in a proper fashion and go and win it."

(Editing by Padraic Halpin)