Rio ruled out of World Cup

Sky Sports News understands Rio Ferdinand's World Cup is over, with a knee injury leaving his dreams in tatters.

The England skipper picked up a knock during the latter stages of training on Friday and was immediately rushed away for medical tests as the Three Lions attempted to uncover the severity of the problem.

Initial fears suggested the Manchester United centre-half may have suffered ligament damage and those concerns were heightened as he left a hospital close to England's Rustenburg training base on crutches and with his knee in a brace.

The outlook appeared bleak at that point and Fabio Capello's worst fears have now been realised.

The Italian was quick to play down the problem during his press conference on Friday, but that was while he awaited news on a scan.

Since then it has been revealed that Ferdinand will play no part in this summer's South African showpiece, representing a crushing blow to the Three Lions' plans.

Leader

The experienced defender was set to be a leader on and off the field, but will now be forced to relinquish those responsibilities.

The armband will be passed to Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, who had been the squad's vice-captain.

Ferdinand's place in the squad will go to Tottenham Hotspur defender Michael Dawson, who was placed on standby the moment news of the injury broke.

The Spurs ace thought his World Cup ambitions were over after he was cut by Capello from the 30-man preliminary party on Tuesday.

However, he is now set to fly out to South Africa on Friday night, where he will reacquaint himself with his international team-mates.
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