Manchester United stalwart returns.
Rio Ferdinand has been recalled to the England squad for the World Cup qualifying double header with San Marino and Montenegro next week, the FA have confirmed.
The 34-year-old has not played for England since the friendly with Switzerland in June 2011 and was omitted from Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2012 squad for “footballing reasons”.
Former England captain Ferdinand has made 26 appearances for Manchester United this season and boss Sir Alex Ferguson recently hinted the veteran was likely to be offered a new deal at Old Trafford.
The former Leeds United defender had a high profile spat with fellow centre-half John Terry, after the Chelsea captain allegedly racially abused Ferdinand’s brother, Anton.
It has been speculated that Hodgson felt he could not include both Ferdinand and Terry in his squad for Poland and Ukraine but the Chelsea player has now retired from international football.
Ferdinand is joined in the 26-man group by West Brom ‘keeper Ben Foster, who recently reversed his decision to retire from international football.
Tottenham duo Scott Parker and Michael Dawson have also returned to the fold.
Midfielder Parker, 32, has not featured for England since the Euro 2012 quarter-final with Italy, while Dawson, 29, returns having last played for the Three Lions against Wales in March 2011.
The Squad
Goalkeepers: Ben Foster , Joe Hart, Fraser Forster.
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand , Glen Johnson,Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker.
Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Leon Osman, Scott Parker , Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young.
Forwards: Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Daniel Welbeck.
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