EDWIN Van der Sar could be back to contest the goalkeeping spot in the next ten days after his wife's successful progress following a brain haemorrhage.

The 39-year-old Dutch No1 had been back in Holland for the festive season and to see a doctor over a knee injury that has forced him out since the Everton match on November 21.

While he was back home his wife fell ill just before Christmas but she is understood to have thankfully made a good recovery with no long term effects.

Van der Sar is set to return to United's Carrington training HQ this week. It will be a boost to United's keeper department who suffered the loss of Ben Foster on Sunday when he was forced home having felt unwell.

Ferguson, meanwhile, could be back in the FA's bad books after blasting referee Chris Foy following the cup clash.

After a second-half punctuated by petty disputes and an injury to Jermaine Beckford, plus five substitutions before the additional time was shown, Foy added an extra five minutes.

And according to erguson, who has a suspended two-game touchline ban hanging over him following his comments regarding Alan Wiley in October, it was not enough.

"The referee gave five minutes," he complained. "That is an insult to the game and the players out there."

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