Jamie Redknapp defends Rio Ferdinand withdrawal from England squad

By Paul Gorst, Reporter | 20 March 2013

Jamie Redknapp defends Rio Ferdinand's decision to pull out of the England squad for their upcoming games against Montenegro and San Marino.

Jamie Redknapp has defended Rio Ferdinand's decision to withdraw from the England squad.

The Manchester United centre-back pulled out of the squad that will play the upcoming games against Montenegro and San Marino citing issues over his training regime on Monday.

Former Liverpool captain Redknapp thinks that the Red Devils defender has taken the correct measures to prolong his career.

"Rio Ferdinand has done what he thinks is best for him," Redknapp wrote in his Daily Mail column.

"Nobody from England cares once you are injured, it's your club who look after you. If Ferdinand comes back injured and jeopardises his United career, he will never forgive himself.

"As you get older, you have to look after your body so much more and Ferdinand must feel he is not capable of training and playing normally. If he can't, joining the squad is a pointless exercise."

Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson drafted in Tottenham Hotspur's Steven Caulker as Ferdinand's replacement.