LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson says striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will definitely return to the starting line-up for the Champions League Group D clash at home to Sparta Prague on Wednesday.
Van Nistelrooy missed Saturday's 2-0 Premier League defeat at Portsmouth because he is serving a three-match domestic ban for a high tackle on Arsenal defender Ashley Cole in United's bad-tempered 2-0 win last month.
"Ruud will be back. I can guarantee that he will be playing," Ferguson told the Manchester Evening News on Tuesday.
"We need Van Nistelrooy up there again because we missed some incredible chances at Portsmouth. Ruud's the best."
England striker Alan Smith, who started against Portsmouth, is likely to make way with Van Nistelrooy partnering Wayne Rooney up front.
United drew 0-0 in Prague two weeks ago and Ferguson says he is thinking of making other changes for the home clash but does not want to go overboard.
"It is important not to be too drastic with changes after a defeat like Saturday," Ferguson added.
"You can get caught up in a disappointment. I could make 10 changes from Saturday easily but that could be counter productive."
Manchester United are second in Group D with five points, two below leaders Olympique Lyon. Sparta Prague are bottom with one point from their three games.