24-02-2010, 11:03 AM
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand will miss Sunday's Carling Cup final because of a back injury.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said the centre-back "felt a twinge in his back" while training and could not be risked in Tuesday's win over West Ham.
"He's had these before. He won't be playing on Sunday," said Ferguson.
Ferdinand, 31, replaced John Terry as England captain this month but may now not make the squad - to be announced on Sunday - for the friendly with Egypt.
"Rio has been training great - there had been no mishaps at all," said Ferguson, whose team face Aston Villa at Wembley in Sunday's final.
United striker Wayne Rooney added: "We'll see how it is. We know if Rio is fit, he's a top player."
When asked if he might lead England next week if Ferdinand is unavailable, the striker added: "It'd be nice, but Steven Gerrard's vice-captain so it would probably go to him."
Ferdinand had been eligible to play in Tuesday's Premier League game against the Hammers after serving a four-match suspension.
The former West Ham defender was handed a three-game ban, increased to four after making a "frivolous appeal" against it, for violent conduct during a league match at Hull City on 23 January.
That encounter was Ferdinand's first match after a three-month absence because of injury problems.
He had not played since United's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool on 25 October and fears had grown over his long-term fitness.
England's game against Egypt at Wembley on 3 March is the final friendly before manager Fabio Capello names his provisional squad for this summer's World Cup finals in South Africa.
Source:BBC Sport
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said the centre-back "felt a twinge in his back" while training and could not be risked in Tuesday's win over West Ham.
"He's had these before. He won't be playing on Sunday," said Ferguson.
Ferdinand, 31, replaced John Terry as England captain this month but may now not make the squad - to be announced on Sunday - for the friendly with Egypt.
"Rio has been training great - there had been no mishaps at all," said Ferguson, whose team face Aston Villa at Wembley in Sunday's final.
United striker Wayne Rooney added: "We'll see how it is. We know if Rio is fit, he's a top player."
When asked if he might lead England next week if Ferdinand is unavailable, the striker added: "It'd be nice, but Steven Gerrard's vice-captain so it would probably go to him."
Ferdinand had been eligible to play in Tuesday's Premier League game against the Hammers after serving a four-match suspension.
The former West Ham defender was handed a three-game ban, increased to four after making a "frivolous appeal" against it, for violent conduct during a league match at Hull City on 23 January.
That encounter was Ferdinand's first match after a three-month absence because of injury problems.
He had not played since United's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool on 25 October and fears had grown over his long-term fitness.
England's game against Egypt at Wembley on 3 March is the final friendly before manager Fabio Capello names his provisional squad for this summer's World Cup finals in South Africa.
Source:BBC Sport