Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is still six weeks away from returning to action.

Ferdinand looks set to miss the start of the new season despite previous suggestions of a full recovery from the knee injury he picked up at the World Cup before the mid-August domestic kick-off.

The 31-year-old missed the tournament after damaging knee ligaments during England's first training session in South Africa.

He now seems highly unlikely to be fit for the first Premier League game of the season against Newcastle United on August 16.

"Rio is probably around six weeks away from playing," Ferguson told the club's official website.

Meanwhile, Ferguson has revealed that Gary Neville and Antonio Valencia have both returned to full training following knocks.

He also spoke of the need to "stock up" on defenders following the injury problems of last season.

The Red Devils have signed 20-year-old prospect Chris Smalling from Fulham since the last season ended.

"We prepared some months ago by signing Smalling if eventually should we have injuries in the department," explained Ferguson.

"Last season we did not do our chances in the league a lot of good by the number of injuries we had to defenders.

"So we felt we should stock up in that department. It has turned out to be pretty important."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email