United defender recalled to Roy Hodgon’s England side.
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Rio Ferdinand has been given a call-up to the England squad according to BBC Sport.
The veteran defender has not played for the Three Lions since the 2-2 draw with Switzerland in June 2011.
Ferdinand was controversially left out of the England squad for last summer’s European Championships.
England manager Roy Hodgson insisted the decision was made for ‘footballing reasons’ but there remains a lingering feeling that it was because of a potential conflict with then England captain John Terry.
Terry had been accused of racially abusing the Ferdinand’s brother, Anton, and rumours suggested that Ferdinand had been dropped to avoid a potentially hostile dressing room atmosphere.
Terry has since gone on to retire from international football and that has paved the way for Ferdinand to make a return to the international fold.
The 34 year old has made 81 appearances at international level since making his debut for England in 1997 against Cameroon.
England are set to face off against San Marino and Montenegro as they look to secure qualification for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
Ben Foster has also made a return to the squad for the first time since asking Fabio Capello not to consider him for selection in May 2011.
Full England Squad:
Keepers: Ben Foster, Joe Hart, Fraser Forster;
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashely Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker.
Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Leon Osman, Scott Parker, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young.
Strikers: Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Daniel Welbeck.