Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will reportedly hand a starting place to Chris Smalling in their Champions League meeting with Braga on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old defender has not featured for the club this season after suffering a broken metatarsal in pre-season, but Ferguson confirmed on Tuesday that he had travelled to Portugal.

According to reporters on Twitter, Smalling will come straight back into the side alongside Jonny Evans, with Rio Ferdinand expected to be rested ahead of the weekend trip with Aston Villa.

Smalling has three England appearances to his name.