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Ferdinand throws down gauntlet to new faces

ESPN staff
November 16, 2010
Rio Ferdinand has hailed England's young guns

Rio Ferdinand has thrown down the gauntlet to the trio handed an England start against France by urging them to mimic their club form and force their way into the national team.

Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson and Kieran Gibbs will all begin the clash at Wembley after a series of injuries caused higher-profile names to withdraw.

The England skipper believes it is "fantastic" that a new generation of stars is emerging - and he is imploring them to play without fear on Wednesday evening.

"I think it's fantastic [to see youngsters coming through]," Ferdinand said. "I hope they go out there and enjoy it and put on a performance like they do for their club. You can see in the way they train [that they're ready]. I was speaking to Jordan earlier and they're not fazed."

Ferdinand singled out Newcastle striker Carroll, scorer of seven Premier League goals this season, as a significant prospect. "I think Carroll is a real talent, someone who's going to be awkward for players to play against," he said. "He's not just a big player, he's got good feet as well."

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