England coach Gary Neville is not expecting his former Manchester United team mate Rio Ferdinand to be recalled to the national side this week for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Ferdinand is yet to feature for England under manager Roy Hodgson but the international retirement of John Terry has prompted calls for him to be recalled.
However, speaking in his role as a pundit on Monday Night Football, Neville said: “I don’t understand the big issue about this.
“This is not a Roy Hodgson thing, it’s not like Rio has been playing consistently for England over the past two years. He only played in three of Fabio Capello’s last 18 games.
“Importantly, Roy has said he is not going to take experienced internationals, with 70 or 80 caps, to the World Cup, and then have them sit in the stands.
“I’ve been in squads where that has happened and it’s been divisive. It would be divisive in this squad but it’s not going to happen and that’s the correct decision.
“The door is not closed on Rio and, if he is selected, then he will be the first name on the teamsheet.
“Hodgson is looking to the World Cup in 2014. Rio is a class player but, by the World Cup, he will be 35.”
SkySport
