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Although Englands national football team manager Roy Hodgson had included Rio Ferdinand in the team for the World Cup qualifying matches against San Marino and Serbia, the Manchester United defender will not return to the team. This became clear after a meeting between the 34-year-old footballer and R. Hodgson in London.
During the meeting, R. Ferdinand thanked the coach for the invitation to represent his country, but he declined it because the training program specifically designed for the defender and medical recommendations are not compatible with playing for the national team this season.
It should be noted that R. Ferdinand was included in the England team for the first time after R. Hodgson began coaching the team. The Manchester United defender also missed the European Football Championship last summer.
"I am very pleased that we were able to meet and the player was able to tell me about his plans, training program, and issues he faces eye to eye. It was important for me to hear it personally. Right now, his program includes rest, which is not compatible with playing for the national team. However, this does not mean that we will not see R. Ferdinand in the team anymore," Hodgson said.
Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson had previously stated that he does not agree with R. Ferdinand playing for the national team. The defender still feels the effects of a long-term back injury, due to which he trains according to a special program.
"I am disappointed that I will not be able to play for the national team, but I am glad that I could tell the coach about it myself. I said that my desire to play for England is very strong and in the future I will be ready to cooperate with R. Hudgson if he needs me," Ferdinand said.
The defender has played in 81 matches and scored 3 goals for the England national team. However, Hodgson did not include Ferdinand in the squad for the 2012 European Championship, due to fears of disagreements between Ferdinand and Chelsea defender John Terry. Terry racially insulted Rio's brother Anton during a Premier League match with QPR.
Although the media claimed that Hodgson would no longer include Ferdinand in the national team even after Terry's retirement from international football, the Manchester United defender was invited to represent his country.
After Ferdinand's refusal, the London Tottenham Hotspur's Steven Caulker will replace him in the next two World Cup qualifying matches for the national team.
