Rio Ferdinand is expected to return to the England fold as a foot soldier for the first time since October 2009 when Fabio Capello names his squad for next month's Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland tomorrow.
Named captain in February last year after John Terry was stripped of the honour, Ferdinand was able to perform the duty on only four out of 15 possible occasions due to injury.
It was the 32-year-old's absence from the February friendly in Denmark that prompted Capello to give Terry his old job back, the Italian receiving severe criticism for his handling of the issue, in particular his failure to contact Ferdinand in advance.
Ferdinand has not spoken publicly about the snub, although neither has he offered any indication that he is unwilling to represent his country again.
And Capello would want the Manchester United man around for a match England need to win if they are to retain favouritism in Group G.
Ferdinand's United colleague Wayne Rooney is ruled out through suspension, so with Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch out of form at Tottenham and both Andy Carroll and Danny Welbeck struggling with injuries, Capello does have a striking problem.
Named captain in February last year after John Terry was stripped of the honour, Ferdinand was able to perform the duty on only four out of 15 possible occasions due to injury.
It was the 32-year-old's absence from the February friendly in Denmark that prompted Capello to give Terry his old job back, the Italian receiving severe criticism for his handling of the issue, in particular his failure to contact Ferdinand in advance.
Ferdinand has not spoken publicly about the snub, although neither has he offered any indication that he is unwilling to represent his country again.And Capello would want the Manchester United man around for a match England need to win if they are to retain favouritism in Group G.
Ferdinand's United colleague Wayne Rooney is ruled out through suspension, so with Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch out of form at Tottenham and both Andy Carroll and Danny Welbeck struggling with injuries, Capello does have a striking problem.
