Gary Pallister: 'Rio Ferdinand worthy of England recall'

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 08 October 2012

Paillister: 'Ferdinand worthy of England recall'

Former England and Man United defender Gary Pallister backs Rio Ferdinand for an England recall, despite the 33-year-old being left out of Roy Hodgson's latest squad.

Former Manchester United defender Gary Pallister believes that Rio Ferdinand is still good enough to earn an England recall.

The current Red Devils centre-half has been linked with an international return following the retirement of John Terry, despite not being included in a Three Lions squad during Roy Hodgson's tenure.

Hodgson has hinted that he will look to younger faces such as United duo Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, but Pallister feels that Ferdinand's leadership qualities would be an invaluable asset in the absence of Terry.

"He's still the best English defender out there," Pallister told BBC Sport. "England lack an authoritative figure in the centre of defence and I think that's what Rio could provide.

"He's definitely still good enough. His understanding and reading of the game has been one of his biggest strengths. He sometimes makes the game look very easy.

"I'm not saying we've got bad players there but with John Terry retiring, we look inexperienced in defence. We've heard nothing to say Rio wants to retire which would suggest he wants to carry on playing for England."

Pallister won 22 England caps between 1988 and 1996.