Ferdinand 'to keep England place'
England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is set to pick Rio Ferdinand ahead of Sol Campbell for the World Cup qualifier against Austria, according to reports.
The Swede is set to pick the Manchester United defender to partner John Terry at centre-half - even though Ferdinand has spoken about his own poor form.
Jamie Carragher is poised to replace the injured Ashley Cole at left-back.
Striker Peter Crouch is tipped to start alongside Michael Owen on Saturday in place of the suspended Wayne Rooney.
Former England international and current pundit Terry Butcher backed the inclusion of Ferdinand, despite his below-par performances for United this season.
"Ferdinand should play because he can bring the ball out of defence and give it to England's midfield to do damage. He is best suited to England's requirements," he said.
"Campbell has done well since returning to the Arsenal side but I would not bring him back and leave Rio out."
Eriksson said earlier this week that he had already made up his mind who to play in the centre of defence.
And the England coach is poised to revert to a 4-4-2 formation against Austria after his experiement with playing 4-5-1 backfired in Northern Ireland.
Fears over Owen's availablity subsided on Wednesday after the Newcastle striker came through a fitness test.
The 25-year-old missed the Premiership game with Portsmouth after suffering a dead leg in a collision with Stephen Taylor.
But he had a fitness session with physio Gary Lewin on Wednesday and should be able to resume full training on Thursday.
Captain David Beckham should also take part in training after delaying his arrival to be with his ill son Romeo.
Beckham stayed in Madrid on Tuesday as his son underwent hospital tests but is now with the squad.
Earlier in the week Ashley Cole withdrew from the squad after suffering a stress fracture of his foot.
Uncapped Liverpool left-back Stephen Warnock was called up as cover.
The last time Cole was unavailable - against Sweden in a friendly in March last year - Carragher played at left-back in a match that England lost 1-0.
i'd rather sol any day, rio worry's about getting his hair dirty.
Yeah I prefer Sol too, on his day there is no player to take his place :wink:
