1 September 2005
Rio Ferdinand interview

Rio Ferdinand looks forward to Saturday's World Cup Qualifier following a session at the London Colney Training HQ.


Rio Ferdinand is backing Jamie Carragher to prove his international class against Wales and make up for the loss of John Terry.

Terry is out of Saturday’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Wales with a knee injury and could be out of action for up to four weeks.

But Liverpool defender Carragher is first choice to replace him and Ferdinand expects him to perform well.

The Manchester United man said: "John Terry has been doing very well for Chelsea and he’ll be a big loss. But Jamie Carragher is someone who is more than capable of coming in and doing a great job.

"He proved last season what a fantastic player he is by winning the Champions League with Liverpool and I know the manager would have no qualms about putting him in against Wales. We would form a good partnership"

Ferdinand has fond memories of playing Wales because it was an emotional game for him in the home leg last year when England won 2-0 at Old Trafford on 9 October, 2004.

He said: "For me the game at home against Wales was the most important of the qualifying round so far because it was my first game back from suspension. We won it convincingly and hopefully the same can be done in Cardiff.

"It won’t be easy, though. I know the Welsh players were disappointed with the way they played at Old Trafford but they have a new manager and their own fans in the stadium this time. They will demand they come out and attack us and that will make it a different type of game. But we’ll be ready for it."