Soccer-Saha and Neville set to miss FA Cup final

MANCHESTER, May 11 (Reuters) Manchester United striker Louis Saha faces further cup disappointment with a knee injury expected to rule him out of the FA Cup final against Chelsea.

United manager Alex Ferguson said today that captain Gary Neville was also a doubtful starter for the Wembley showpiece on May 19 because of an ankle injury.

Saha injured his knee in training before United's win over Manchester City last Saturday and is not expected to play again this season.

Asked if the France international would be fit for the final against fierce rivals Chelsea, Ferguson told reporters: ''I would say no.'' Saha, 28, missed United's FA Cup final appearances in 2004 and 2005 as he was cup-tied for the win over Millwall and injured for United's defeat by Arsenal 12 months later.

He could also have played in the 1999 FA Cup final for Newcastle United when on loan from Metz but was not selected and famously missed the 2006 World Cup final for France through suspension.

Injury problems have dogged Saha for the second half of this season and speculation is growing that he could leave United, who became Premier League champions last Sunday.

England international defender Neville has been out of action since the middle of March and is running out of time to prove his fitness.

''He is up against it for the final,'' Ferguson admitted. ''We are going to give him a chance because I think he deserves a chance to be fit for next week.

''But he will have to do some serious work during the week, football-wise. He will take part in football training but whether it's soon enough I have got my doubts now, unfortunately.'' REUTERS AKD KP1949