Source: Daily_Mail
Rio Ferdinand unlikely to be fit for England's crunch Euro 2012 qualifier in Wales
England captain Rio Ferdinand looks set to miss the forthcoming European Championship qualifier with Wales on March 26, according to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.[LNB]Ferdinand is currently sidelined with a calf injury, and his expected absence, along with that of vice-captain Steven Gerrard, leading to the belief that that manager Fabio Capello will offer the armband back to former skipper John Terry.[LNB] Lion: Rio Ferdinand is the current England captain but is unlikely to feature in the next game[LNB]Ferguson, though, does not expect Ferdinand to return in time to make Capello's captaincy decision any easier, saying: 'Rio has been doing a bit of running. He will be ready for the game after the internationals.[LNB]Hampered: The United defender has been blighted by injury in recent years[LNB]'I wouldn't have thought he would have a chance before that. I don't think it would be wise for him to be called up by England. He hasn't played for us since January.' [LNB]Since the World Cup, which Ferdinand missed with a knee injury picked up in the first few days in South Africa, the United man has only been fit for two of six international matches this season. He has not played for his club since 1 February.[LNB]The national team manager believes Terry was humiliated during the 2-1 friendly win in Denmark last month when, with captain Ferdinand and vice-captain Gerrard sidelined and stand-in skipper Frank Lampard substituted, the armband was passed to Gareth Barry.[LNB]Capello now believes, in hindsight, that it was wrong to have overlooked Terry in Copenhagen given his 65 caps and the fact that he had been captain between 2006 until his fall from grace a year ago.[LNB]He had similarly been snubbed last March at Wembley in the 3-1 defeat of Egypt.[LNB]The Italian has checked with his FA bosses about his change of heart and has been told he can turn to Terry, with Ferdinand and Gerrard ruled out for the crucial Euro 2012 qualifier in Wales in 13 days' time.[LNB]Capello believes he will need a strong leader in the cauldron of Cardiff on March 26, and he has always considered Terry to be at the head of the list.[LNB] Terry back in frame to be England captain in Wales after Capello U-turnEXCLUSIVE: Capello tells FA he wants Terry back as England captainInside Fortress Fergie: Is Sir Alex Ferguson nearing the end game?All the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, John Terry, Fabio Capello, Rio Ferdinand, Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard Places: Copenhagen, Cardiff, Egypt, Denmark, United Kingdom, Wales, South Africa
