England captain will miss World Cup after training injury

It could have been the crowning point of his career, but Rio Ferdinand's World Cup is over.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Jun 2010, 00:26 BST
Updated 5th Jun 2010, 00:27 BST

The England captain, 31, was ruled out of the tournament yesterday after suffering a knee injury during a training session.

The one-time Leeds United star was taken for a scan at a local hospital, where doctors travelling with the England squad decided he could not play for four to six weeks.

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England coach Fabio Capello said: "It is obviously bad news and everyone with the squad is very disappointed and sorry for Rio. It was an accidental injury in training."

The accident happened only a day after the England squad arrived in South Africa for the competition, which begins on Friday.

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard will wear the captain's armband in England's first match of the tournament against the USA. Tottenham's Ledley King is likely to replace Ferdinand in the team for the Group C game to be played in Rustenburg.

Ferdinand's place in the squad will be taken by another Tottenham defender, Michael Dawson, who has never played for England. Dawson was born in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, and is the younger brother of Hull City defender Andy Dawson.

Related topics:EnglandRio FerdinandLeeds UnitedTottenhamSouth AfricaLiverpool