England World Cup Squad Head Out of Tournament
In a bitter blow for the UK World Cup team, their captain, Rio Ferdinand will be out of the tournament due to a training injury.
Just 24 hours after landing in South Africa with the the team, Ferdinand damaged his cruciate ligament in his left knee during England's first training session in Rustenberg.
After being taken to hospital, it was revealed that the captain will need to be out for at least six weeks, putting pay to his World Cup dream.
However, despite the injury, no tear or rupture was reported, meaning that essentially Ferdinand can stay on in South Africa if he so wishes.
After getting the all clear from United boss Alex Ferguson, England boss, Capello asked Ferdinand to stay on and help the squad win the 2010 World Cup.
"Capello has spoken with Rio and will be delighted to have him around for as long as he wants to stay," said a team source.
"Rio is obviously very down at the moment but to have him around during the tournament would be great for team morale."
Following the injury, Capello said that he would not treat his star players any differently than others in the World Cup team and that they would need to train professionally, accepting that injuries are part of the game.
"I know what can happen, but that is the job," said Capello. "What do you do? Swim and not play? You have to train. Sometimes you try to be careful and it still doesn't work."
The UK meets the US team in Rustenburg on Saturday June 12th in the first Group C game. Algeria player Slovenia in Polokwane the following day.
