Eng boost as Ferdinand trains

2008-09-08 15:52

Barcelona - Rio Ferdinand resumed training with his England team-mates here on Monday, handing Fabio Capello a major boost ahead of Wednesday's World Cup qualifying clash with Croatia in Zagreb.

Manchester United defender Ferdinand had been struggling with a neck problem and missed the 2-0 victory over Andorra here on Saturday.

But after Monday's session, he was passed fit to travel to the Croatian capital and will expect to return to the centre of defence alongside captain John Terry, with Everton's Joleon Lescott making way.

Head coach Capello, who is under pressure after England's lacklustre display against the group minnows, is expected to promote Joe Cole to the starting line-up after the Chelsea midfielder came off the bench to score both goals against Andorra.

England head for Zagreb aiming to avoid a repeat of the defeat they suffered there at the start of their unsuccessful campaign to reach Euro 2008.

- SAPA