• International football

Vidic: Rio deserves recall

ESPN staff
March 18, 2013
Nemanja Vidic hopes Rio Ferdinand will be able to cope with potentially four games in 11 days © Getty Images
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Nemanja Vidic believes Rio Ferdinand merits his England recall but suggested he is worried about the consequences for Manchester United if the 34-year-old plays in both of the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.

Vidic, his long-time central-defensive partner, is happy for his colleague but aware that, immediately after the international break, United face Sunderland in the Premier League on March 30 and Chelsea in an FA Cup replay 48 hours later, which could mean Ferdinand starts four games in 11 days.

"It's good for Rio," Vidic said. "He deserves the call - he has played well this season and can help the national team. He would have two international games, then when he comes back we have two games in three days in the Premier League and FA Cup.

"Can he play all of these games? All I can say is that I hope he does well."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has already expressed his concerns and said he hopes the FA can follow Ferdinand's training programme to ensure the veteran, who has suffered from calf and back problems over the last few years, is not sidelined again.

Ferguson had originally hinted that Ferdinand might not accept his call up before saying after Saturday's 1-0 win over Reading that the defender will join the England squad.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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