Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists Rio Ferdinand will face Tottenham on Sunday, no matter what the result of his English FA hearing.
A verdict is expected today after the central defender failed to report for a drugs test in September. Ferguson made his views known before leaving for the hearing at Bolton's Reebok Stadium, where he is to be a character witness for the central defender.
Speaking at United's Carrington training complex, Ferguson said: "It is my intention for Rio to play on Sunday. It's not ideal preparation but hopefully he's got the temperament to handle it.
"He'll have a training session tomorrow. He's not had any training sessions today or yesterday. That's the only concern, but he will have a good session tomorrow."