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Ferdinand assures England he will be fit for World Cup

Rio Ferdinand expects to be fit to captain England in South Africa © Getty Images

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Rio Ferdinand has given the England camp assurances that he will make the World Cup despite a season ravaged by injuries.

Ferdinand missed Manchester United's 3-1 victory over Spurs on Saturday and time is running out for the central defender to prove his fitness to Fabio Capello.

But an England insider told Soccernet: "We have been informed that Rio is going to be fit for the World Cup, but how fit, we really don't know.

"We have been told he will be playing again next weekend and so we shall have the opportunity to assess him."

Ferdinand has long been established as the first choice centre half for his country, but with his persistent back injuries and the lingering concerns about John Terry's erratic form since being stripped of the England captaincy, Capello has been examining the alternatives.

This has led to speculation that a similarly injury-prone player, Spurs skipper Ledley King, will be considered for a place in the 23-man England squad going to South Africa, after some impressive performances of late.

The England insider told Soccernet: "Ledley King is such a good player that he deserves to be looked at. He deserves to be watched and he is one of the best central defenders in the country.

"Whether Ledley King would eventually be considered for a place in the squad depends on a lot of things, and clearly Rio's fitness is one of them."

As King cannot play two games inside six days and does not train between matches, he would be a huge risk, and an alternative could be a shock recall for 35-year-old Sol Campbell, though Capello has not yet looked at the Arsenal defender.

Capello, though, is also concerned about his goalkeeping position; with a decision needed on whether to stick with Rob Green or bring back David James, who has also struggled with injuries.

On top of the potential problems in defence, it will take all of the England coach's organisational capabilities to gel an England team that can make an impact in South Africa.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.