England captain Rio Ferdinand ruled out of World Cup

The former Leeds United defender sustained a knee injury during the final couple of minutes of England's first training session and a hospital scan has revealed the worst possible news.

The problem resulted from Ferdinand being on the receiving end of what coach Fabio Capello described as a "minor tackle".

Ferdinand had been talking optimistically only 48 hours ago about leading England to World Cup glory.

He insisted anything less than winning the competition would not be regarded as a success and that England were "not here to make up the numbers".

Michael Dawson - who was told only on Tuesday that his World Cup dream was over - has been drafted into the squad and will fly out ot link up with his team-mates, who kick-off their campaign against the United States on June 12.

Steven Gerrard has been appointed captain in Ferdinand's place.

Goalkeeper David James also missed training today but Capello is less concerned with that situation and insisted the 39-year-old had "only a slight knee problem".