Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson will wait for all his players to return from international duty before choosing his side for Saturday's premier league game against Blackburn Rovers.

Most of Ferguson's first-team squad played for their countries in midweek and Ferguson has to gauge their physical fitness and mental well-being before the 1230 GMT kickoff at Old Trafford.

"I think it will be a problem for Diego (Forlan) and (Eric) Djemba-Djemba as one was in Japan and one was in Brazil," Ferguson told a news conference on Friday.

"And also for Ryan (Giggs) with the intensity of their match and having the disappointment," he added, referring to Wales's playoff defeat by Russia.

"(Scotland winger) Darren Fletcher will maybe find it difficult, but (Dutch striker) Ruud (Van Nistelrooy) is flying. He scored his hat-trick and he's delighted."

Forlan was not due to report back to United until 1630 on Friday afternoon after playing for Uruguay.

"That's a worry, but he's flying and scored two goals again on Wednesday. His contribution in terms of how he feels and how he's travelled and slept will be important," added Ferguson.

Forlan's double-strike in the drawn World Cup qualifier in Brazil and Van Nistelrooy's hat-trick for the Netherlands against Scotland means United's recent strike pairing will face Blackburn on top of their game.

Blackburn, 16th in the table, are missing a number of players but should have striker Dwight Yorke fit to face his former club following a thigh injury sustained after scoring one of the goals that beat Everton two weeks ago to end a five-game losing streak.

"Their victory against Everton was an important one. I think it stabilised the situation, put them up a few places and coming to Old Trafford that was a good result for them," said Ferguson.

CLEARING UP

United's own injury problems are clearing up, with England internationals Paul Scholes and Wes Brown, recovering from groin and knee operations respectively, due to return next month.

"I think he (Scholes) will be a couple of weeks away. He's doing good work remedial-wise. He's not kicking a ball yet but all his leg-work he is doing well and the running part is no problem," Ferguson said.

United will wear black armbands against Blackburn as a mark of respect for Roland Smith, the club's former plc chairman who died on Thursday at the age of 75.

"His contribution to Manchester United, particularly with the plc, was paramount to the success of the club," said Ferguson.

"He always knew Manchester United had to be at the top to generate the club the way the plc wanted to go. His understanding of my role and of the football part was always terrific."