Rio Ferdinand may have to pick and choose England games after World Cup

By Rory Smith Published: 7:20AM GMT twenty-five February 2010

Fitness battle: There is a fright Manchester United"s Rio Ferdinand might not be means to fool around each diversion for England after the World Cup Photo: GETTY IMAGES

The Manchester United defender, handed the captaincy in the light of the John Terry scandal, will miss his dictated accession after pang a regularity of the behind repairs that has tormented the last eighteen months of his career before to United"s 3-0 win over West Ham on Tuesday.

Ferguson settled after that diversion that the player would "miss a integrate of matches", statute Ferdinand out of the Carling Cup last and England"s Mar 3 accessible at Wembley with Egypt, a diversion for that he will be transposed by Steven Gerrard, promoted to vice-captain progressing this month.

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That the Liverpool captain will have the possibility to lead his nation was welcomed by the Premier League side"s manager, Rafael Benítez, though he certified he accepted because Gerrard had been ignored for the pursuit on a permanent basis.

"It will be great for his confidence," the Spaniard said.

"He is critical for us and critical for England, but there are most critical players around, so it is not easy to be captain of England."

Gerrard, though, might find himself heading Capello"s side out on a unchanging basis, such are Ferdinand"s repairs troubles.

The defender was postulated dual months to concede his physique to come to hold up following an injury-hit 2009 after conference with United"s healing staff, whilst Ferguson believes he will need a privately tailored fitness system of administration for the rest of his career to wand off the hazard of injury.

The final of general football are such, though, that whilst the Scot does not hold the 31 year-old will be forced in to early early retirement from his inhabitant side to lengthen his time at the tip level, as the likes of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Jamie Carragher have done, he fears he might have to extent his appearances for England.

His ultimate setback, postulated in precision on Tuesday sunrise and described by Ferguson has a small "twinge in the back" leaves Capello"s first-choice counterclaim in rags for the diversion with Egypt, the African Nations Cup winners.

Ashley Cole is recuperating from a damaged ankle, Glen Johnson has not played this year after nutritious knee-ligament repairs in Dec and subject outlines sojourn over Terry"s mental state after some-more than a month of heated conjecture over his in isolation life.