Rio setback to Capello plans - 7M sport

Rio setback to Capello plans

Posted Wednesday, February 24, 2010 by PA

Fabio Capello looks set to plan for England's friendly with Egypt next week having to install yet another captain after Rio Ferdinand's latest injury scare.

Just three games into his comeback from a long-standing back complaint that kept him out for over three months, Ferdinand was forced to pull out of Manchester United's Premier League victory over West Ham at Old Trafford after feeling a twinge in his back.

Sir Alex Ferguson immediately ruled Ferdinand out of Sunday's Carling Cup final, and said: "He tweaked his back in training and he won't be ready for Sunday. It is unfortunate for him that he's going to miss a couple of games."

He added: "Rio has been training great too. There have been no mishaps at all. But when you get these twinges you can't take a chance."

Capello would almost certainly ask Steven Gerrard to do the job if Ferdinand does miss out, although in-form Wayne Rooney might also have a claim given he had the role for the defeat by Brazil in Qatar last November.

If Capello went with Rooney, he certainly could not pick anyone in more confident mood at present.

Two headers for the 24-year-old on Tuesday night took his tally to 27 this season, which is only 15 fewer than Cristiano Ronaldo managed in his stellar 2007-08 campaign.

Michael Owen added a third to seal a win that took United to within a point of leaders Chelsea and put them in good heart ahead of their Wembley encounter with Aston Villa on Sunday.

"We had to win," conceded Ferguson, who is now set to recall Darren Fletcher and Rafael amongst others. "There will be changes on Sunday now.

"I have done that all along in the competition and I will have to look at the situation to make sure we have a fresh team."



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