Alex Ferguson does not expect Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand to be chosen for England's upcoming World Cup qualifiers despite John Terry's international retirement
Chelsea’s Terry was given a four-game ban, for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, Rio’s younger brother, by the Football Association on Thursday during an incident that took place in a match against QPR in October last year.
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Terry quit England duty on Sunday, saying the FA had made his position “untenable” by continuing to take action against him after he was found not guilty of criminal charges.
Rio Ferdinand has not represented England since June 4 and was upset after being left out of Roy Hodgson’s squad for Euro 2012. Now there is speculation England manager Hodgson could turn to the 81-cap Ferdinand. United defenders Nemanja Vidic, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are all nursing injuries.
Ferdinand is one of the few fit defenders. But his England return for the qualifiers vs San Marino and Poland next month is unlikely to be celebrated by Ferguson, who said: “If it happens then it’s entirely up to Rio. I don’t think he’d get called up. Roy made his decision in the Euros and I can’t see him changing that.”