Rio is naturally disappointed not to be involved but has every confidence in his international team mates getting off to a good start on the road to Portugal.

The Manchester United centre-back went into hospital yesterday for a knee operation that could keep him sidelined for a month. Before going under the knife he told tThe Sun newspaper, "It's been niggling away for a while and something had to be done".

"It's been a stop-start season for me, what with my debut being delayed because of my ankle problem and now this. But it's better it gets sorted out now.

"I'm disappointed, gutted in fact, because everyone knows how much I love playing football and that England is very important to me.

"But I'm sure the lads will do the business. I'll be watching on TV cheering them all the way."

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