An assembled intermediate is described comprising a fluid transport element proximate an absorbent material is described. The fluid transport element comprises a thermoplastic nonwoven web comprising a plurality of bonded staple fibers having an average diameter of 20 to 500 microns and the web has a thickness of 3 to 20 mm, a density ranging from 0.01 to 0.10 g/cm3, and a work of compression no greater than 20 kJ/m3. Also described are articles comprising such assembled intermediate.
