RIO WILL BE BACK SOON

Last updated : 31 August 2004 By editor

SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON has revealed Rio Ferdinand is set to make an immediate return to the England fold.The Manchester United defender’s eight-month ban for missing a drugs test finally comes to an end on September 20.

Asked if Ferdinand would be back in the squad for the world cup qualifiers, boss Eriksson said:

“I should be very surprised if he’s not, he’s extremely hungry to play football again. Rio is one of the best players you can find in Europe or the world. Of course, it depends on how he is playing for Manchester United. But I have talked to him now and then. He looks very fit and told me that he’s been practising a lot, sometimes twice a day.”