The Guardian:
Rio Ferdinand has won back a place in England's defence ahead of Sol Campbell and will begin tomorrow's friendly against Argentina alongside John Terry. The Manchester United centre-half was dropped by Sven-Goran Eriksson for last month's qualifier against Austria after a poor run of form but his starting berth here looks to be a clear sign that the manager regards him as a first choice for the World Cup.
Ferdinand did play in the most recent England match, the qualifier against Poland last month, but only because Campbell suffered a tight hamstring against Austria four days earlier.
Ferdinand has accepted that his club captain Roy Keane was justified in questioning his attitude and performances in the infamous MUTV interview that was never broadcast. At Middlesbrough last month the 27-year-old had looked anything but world-class in a dismal United showing that saw them hammered 4-1.
Ferdinand also sat back and played David Healy onside for Northern Ireland's winner against England in September but Eriksson's faith in him is plain. "He will be in Germany for sure," the manager said recently. "It's up to him to show he should be on the field as well." Some would debate whether Ferdinand has yet done that.