Ancelotti boosted by Rio injury

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti admits an injury to Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand will play into his team's hands for the Champions League semi-finals.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed Ferdinand will be sidelined for two weeks after a recurrence of his groin strain.

If that diagnosis proves accurate, the 28-year-old will miss both matches against Milan.

Ancelotti, speaking after his team's win over Cagliari and learning of Ferdinand's injury, said: "He (Ferdinand) is a very important player for their defence."

However, the Rossoneri coach is concerned about United's attacking potential.

He said: "We will have to be careful and keep possession of the ball but that could be a two-edged sword because if we do not do well our opponents could hit us on the counter-attack."

United host Milan at Old Trafford on Tuesday before playing the second leg at the San Siro on May 2.

Milan warmed up for the United match by beating Cagliari 3-1 in Serie A. However two goals were scored by Ronaldo, who is cup-tied for the Champions League, and they also had Kakha Kaladze sent off.

Ronaldo scored in the 14th and 69th minutes following Cafu's crosses from the right for his sixth and seventh goals in 11 games.

Andrea Pirlo scored Milan's third with a free-kick in the 80th, six minutes after Cagliari captain David Suazo had converted a penalty.

Kaladze, who fouled Andrea Capone for Cagliari's penalty, was sent off in the 86th for his second yellow card.

Brazilian goalkeeper Dida has been included in AC Milan's 25-man squad for Tuesday's first leg against United at Old Trafford.

Dida has been struggling with a shoulder injury but was one of four goalkeepers named by Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, who rested most of his first-teamers for the win over Cagliari.

Squad: Dida, Kalac, Fiori, Storari; Bonera, Cafu, Costacurta, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Oddo, Serginho, Simic; Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kaka, Pirlo, Seedorf; Gilardino, Inzaghi, Oliveira.