Feud for thought: Recalled Rio Ferdinand should make peace with Ashley Cole now says England's Hodgson

14 Mar 2013 22:31

A World Cup spot is there for the Man United defender to win if he and former friend can put John Terry/Anton Ferdinand racism saga behind them

'Do it for England': Hodgson wants peace between Cole and Ferdinand

Michael Regan

Roy Hodgson has told Rio ­Ferdinand he could yet play in next year's World Cup with England – if he makes peace with Ashley Cole.

A month after seeming to confirm Manchester United defender Ferdinand’s international career was over at the age of 34, Hodgson has recalled him for the World Cup qualifying double-header against San Marino and Montenegro.

And the Three Lions manager suggested Ferdinand can go on to could feature in next summer’s finals in Brazil.

He said: “I know Ashley and Rio were very good friends.

“We’re talking about England as a football team, not purely ­individuals, and I expect the pair of them to do their job with England.”

The two defenders fell out after Cole’s Chelsea team-mate John Terry was charged with racially abusing Ferdinand’s brother, Anton, during a match.
Hodgson added: “I don’t expect any problems. If there are any I’ll have to deal with them but I’m rather hoping the long-term friendship can re-emerge and the unfortunate ­incident along the way can be forgotten.
“I’d be unhappy if there were tensions between players in a group.

“But we’re talking about two very experienced professional players here, and we are talking about the England football team.”

With Cole still very much Hodgson’s first choice at left-back, it was a warning to Ferdinand that he will have to toe the line.
Hodgson, who also recalled Ben Foster, Michael Dawson and Scott Parker, insisted his U-turn was not a one-off to deal with the absence of Phil Jagielka, but an opportunity for the entre-back to show he can earn a place in the World Cup squad.

Hodgson added: “I think Rio is the right man to help us in this game and in the games ahead. It wouldn’t take too much guesswork to see that now he’s in the squad he’s there to play and not to make up the numbers.

“I can’t give guarantees for the future and 2014 is a long way off. But if Rio Ferdinand is still playing like he is now in 2014 he will be a major candidate for a place in the squad.
“I feel sure he will play more games.”
* WEST BROM boss Steve Clarke has tipped Ben Foster to thrive on his return to the England squad, writes James Nursey.
Albion keeper Foster, 29, recently ended his self-imposed international retirement and was named by Roy Hodgson in his party to play San Marino and Montenegro.

Good call! Foster is back after ending his self-imposed England retirement

Chris Brunskill

 Foster’s previous cap, his fifth, was against France in November 2010.
Clarke said: “We are all delighted for him. I am sure he will do well. He has made himself available for selection again and it is good.
“I like my players to be involved with their countries. I think it is a great honour.
“Ben is in a good place fitness-wise. If he felt there were any fitness issues he wouldn’t have come back.”

England squad to play San Marino and Montenegro

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster, Joe Hart, Fraser Forster.
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio ­
Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker.
Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Leon Osman, Scott Parker, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young.
Forwards: Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Daniel ­Sturridge, Daniel Welbeck.