Fergie: Rio may not link up with England

Mar 15 2013

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted that it is not completely certain Rio Ferdinand will join up with England next week.

Ferdinand was selected by Roy Hodgson on Thursday for this month's World Cup qualifiers with San Marino and Montenegro, the first time he has been called up by the current England boss since he took charge just before Euro 2012.

The move caught Ferguson by surprise given Ferdinand's long-standing fitness issues. And he is not entirely convinced international duty is the best way forward for the 34-year-old. "I was as surprised as anyone when I heard," he said.