Ferdinand boost for United

Rio Ferdinand has provided Manchester United with a boost by returning to training and he could be involved against Fulham later this month.

The defender has not played since suffering a calf injury in the warm-up prior to United's first Premier League defeat of the season at Wolves in early February.

The former England captain had been making slow progress in his recovery and there were fears he could miss the rest of the season.

However, Ferdinand was back in training on Wednesday and he is close to being ready to play his part in United's Treble bid.

He will miss Saturday's game at former club West Ham United and the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea next Wednesday, but could feature at home to Fulham on Saturday 9th April.

"Rio has started training," said Ferguson.

"He has only been training two days and then just a light session today.

"I have to decide whether we bring him in tomorrow, or give him a day off and start him on Wednesday again.

"He is more likely to be fit for Fulham."

Ferdinand's impending return will provide Sir Alex Ferguson with a timely lift due to the defensive problems currently crippling the United squad.

Wes Brown has joined the list of absentees and he will sit out the trip to Upton Park, along with Rafael and John O'Shea, while Jonny Evans is suspended.

Rafael's twin brother Fabio is in contention to start at right-back and captain Nemanja Vidic is fit after a calf injury, having played for Serbia in midweek. source

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Capello criticises Ferdinand

Capello has reinstated Terry as captain ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifier with Wales after a year's 'punishment' following high-profile personal issues and is now set to lead the Three Lions out at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Capello claims he was 'upset' for Terry during the game with Denmark when the captain's armband was handed out to a number of players while the Chelsea defender watched on.

An injury to Ferdinand means the Manchester United defender is unable to link up with the squad but rumours suggest that he is unhappy with the way the matter was dealt with, only finding out Capello's decision through the media.

However, the Italian has now laid the blame at Ferdinand's door by claiming he did not come to meet him when he visited Old Trafford for a UEFA Champions League clash earlier in the month.

Capello said: "It didn't happen, he didn't come. He didn't come."

Asked why the pair did not meet, he added: "This is a question for him, not for me. I was in the directors' box.

"I tried to meet him (Ferdinand) when Manchester United played against Marseille but he told me no.

"I can understand everything, but I need to make decisions. I think I will be happy and will meet him in the future."

Capello also admitted making mistakes during his handling of the captaincy, saying: "Sometimes I regret what happened. It is possible to do some things better, but it is the past.

"I can understand everything, but I need to make decisions."

Meanwhile, the former AC Milan coach has defended his decision to give the armband back to Terry following a year in the wilderness.

Terry has spoken of his pleasure at being reinstated and Capello admits his mind was made sure during the friendly against Denmark in February.

"Something happened in my mind when I saw the armband being passed around during our game in Copenhagen," he remarked.

"We changed it in the second half and it was unfair for John Terry to see this.

"I thought that it was time for John Terry, after punishment, to return and be captain.

"I know that Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard are not fit. I knew it was the moment, with one game which is so important, to have one captain like John Terry.

"I spoke with the players and personally with some players, and I spoke with the squad before I decided that John Terry will be the captain, and all the players were happy because John Terry was always a very important leader on the pitch and to the team."

England take on Wales in what is an important game in their quest to qualify for next year's tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Capello is aware of the significance of the contest in Cardiff and was keen to discuss the match rather than the issue of the captain.

He said: "Are we here to speak about the captaincy or the Wales game? It is a really important game tomorrow."

source

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John Terry to open up about leading England as Rio Ferdinand rallies support

22 Mar 2011 - 12:43:24

John Terry will today publicly speak about his sensational return as England captain - after axed skipper Rio Ferdinand threw his backing behind his replacement. The central defender has been handed back the armband 12 months after being withdrawn from the role after his alleged affair with Wayne Bridge's former girlfriend. Terry takes over from injury-prone Ferdinand, who is upset at his treatment from manager Fabio Capello but insists he has no problem with Terry. Leading the way: Terry (2nd right) was out in front during England training at London Colney on Tuesday Chelsea star Terry will speak at a lunchtime press conference at England's training base ahead of Saturday's crunch Euro 2012 qualifier with Wales in Cardiff. He will explain his return as leader just a year after his humiliating removal as captain in the build-up to the 2010 World Cup finals. Capello has risked causing division in the squad with the decision, although Ferdinand is injured for the clash with Wales. Familiar face: Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann (centre), back on Arsenal's books, meets the England players A source close to Ferdinand told The Sun: 'Rio felt it was only right he gave John a call and talked things over. He wished John all the best for Saturday and told him he believed he would lead the team to a win. 'John and Rio go back years and there is a mutual respect. Maybe Capello could learn a bit from them.' Ferdinand tweeted to fans who backed him: 'Thanks for all your messages. I appreciate them all. Pure love.' Matt Jarvis is also set to speak at London Colney after his surprise call-up to the squad following his impressive performances for relegation-threatened Wolves. All change: Ferdinand (right) was handed the armband when Capello took the honour away from Terry last year  Dynamic duo! Capello wants to unleash Rooney and Carroll in Wales qualifier John Terry: I never gave up hope of being England captain again after Fabio sacked meEngland out of respect for Fabio: Squad can't believe Terry made captainKenny Dalglish: If Terry was wrong man a year ago, why is he right now? Capello faces players' fury: Rio leads stars' anger as Terry back as captainTerry should have never lost the England captaincy, blasts Shilton  Explore more:Places: Cardiff, United Kingdom, Wales

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[EPL] Ferdinand could miss season, Rafael and O'Shea blows

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has said that Rio Ferdinand could be out for the rest of the season.

The central defender has been struggling with a calf injury and the news is made worse by confirmation that John O'Shea has been ruled out for five weeks while Rafael faces three weeks out. Both players have hamstring injuries.

"We're having a bad spell," said Ferguson. "Only a few weeks ago we had every defender fit. We've got the bonus of Wes Brown being able to play centre-back and right-back, and Chris Smalling has been brilliant.

"Rio has been out for a few weeks now. We are not looking at this as a short-term situation. He has not started training yet. We will be lucky to get him back for some part of the season."

Ferguson also said he is yet to decide whether to appeal against his five-match touchline ban, but is clearly not happy about it.

A disciplinary hearing on Wednesday saw him punished heavily for comments made about referee Martin Atkinson following United's 2-1 defeat at Chelsea earlier this month.

He has vowed to defend himself strongly.

"It is disappointing," he said. "It is the only industry where you can't tell the truth. But it is in the past now."


source: yahoo uk sports

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