Rio pledges support to England

Rio Ferdinand has pledged his support to England's Euro 2012 campaign despite the controversy that has surrounded his absence from the squad.

Ferdinand to Captain England Against France

Rio Ferdinand will captain England in Wednesday`s Paris friendly against France although coach Fabio Capello will not select a permanent skipper until his side begin their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.The appointment, even on a temporary basis, represents a huge personal triumph for Manchester United central defender Ferdinand, who was banned from playing for eight months in 2003 for failing to take a scheduled drugs test on time.

Asked at a news conference if he thought his past problems would have counted against him, Ferdinand said:"I think everyone goes through ups and downs, not just in their careers but in their life. It`s how you deal with it, do you learn from it? "I think I`ve applied myself in the right manner whenever situations have gone against me and I will continue to do that. Very proud "I`m not ashamed to say I made mistakes growing up, but its important that you learn from them.

"More than anything I`m honoured to be named captain. It`s a cliche to say that as a young kid you want to grow up and play for your country and captain your country and it was a dream of mine. I feel very proud for my family and for my club..." Capello added that he had no hesitation in awarding the Ferdinand the armband, saying: "I knew all about the problems he had, but the past is the past."From what I`ve seen in the games I`ve watched him play and in the days he has been training with me I`ve seen a very good professional and he can be the England captain because of this.

"Ferdinand takes over from Steven Gerrard, who was captain for Capello`s first game in charge against Switzerland when John Terry, skipper under previous coach Steve McClaren, was injured. Chelsea defender Terry is back in the squad for the Stade de France match but if he plays will this time take his orders from his regular England partner.Ruled outThe captaincy represents something of a comeback for 29-year-old Ferdinand, who fell foul of the FA in 2003 when he was fined and suspended for missing a drugs test.That ban ruled him out of the 2004 European championship in Portugal but he was soon restored to the side where he has remained a regular.

Ferdinand, the world`s most expensive defender when he moved from Leeds United to Old Trafford for about 30 million pounds ($59.77 million) in 2002, made his England debut eight days after his 19th birthday against Cameroon in a November 1997 friendly. He will win his 66th cap on Wednesday.

Ferdinand will bring a different approach to the captaincy than Terry or Gerrard, both motivators from the bellowing, fist-pumping school, because he has always taken a calmer, quieter approach to the game. Capello will settle on his regular captain before England start their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign against Andorra on Sept. 6.

"I will name the permanent captain when we play the Czech Republic on August 20," Capello told reporters in Paris.

Rio Injury Worry For United

Rio Ferdinand has given Sir Alex Ferguson another defensive headache after leaving the Riverside with his foot in a protective case following Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough. United can ill afford to lose Ferdinand for long with fellow centre-back Nemanja Vidic out for three weeks and some crucial matches coming up in the Premier League and Champions League.

The draw with Boro sees United just three points ahead of Chelsea, and they have to face Arsenal next weekend before going to Stamford Bridge on April 26. Ferdinand limped off during the match and left the stadium with his foot in a plastic case, as a precaution.

Ferguson said: "Hopefully it's not serious with Rio but he was limping for too long. "The danger was to keep carrying on with him when he was limping he was not playing at his full performance level." It looks unlikely that Ferdinand will play in the Champions League second leg against Roma, especially with Gerard Pique impressing Ferguson as a replacement for the England defender.

"Pique came on and did absolutely terrific, he was absolutely marvellous and I think that helped us actually," added Ferguson. United had taken the lead at an icy Riverside courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo's 37th goal of the season but two goals from Brazilian striker Afonso Alves put Boro ahead.
It was left to Wayne Rooney's late deflected effort to secure a share of the spoils.