Old Trafford boss fires warning over defender’s fitness.
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Manchester United boss has warned that defender Rio Ferdinand may not be available for the England national team according to talkSport.
The centre-back has not played for the Three Lions since the 2-2 draw with Switzerland in 2011.
There has been frequent speculation that Ferdinand’s continued absence from the national side was down to a potential conflict with John Terry after the Chelsea defender was accused of racially abusing Ferdinand’s brother, Anton.
Ferdinand was controversially left out of the squad for the European Championships last summer but England boss Roy Hodgson insisted the decision was made for ‘footballing reasons’.
Whatever the true reasons for his absence, Terry has now retired from international football leading to Ferdinand’s recall for England’s up-coming World Cup qualification games against San Marino and Montenegro.
But Sir Alex Ferguson has warned that the defender may not be available as the Old Trafford club have to prepare a specific training regime to ensure the player’s availability as he reaches the end of his playing career.
A number of players have taken early retirement from international football at Manchester United as they look to prolong their playing careers for their club.
Sir Alex Ferguson has been rumoured to have advised Ferdinand to follow suit and it remains to be seen whether Ferdinand will add to his current tally of 81 international caps.