Rio set to snub England recall after being put 'under pressure' by United

By Ian Ladyman

PUBLISHED: 07:31 EST, 15 March 2013 | UPDATED: 04:41 EST, 16 March 2013

Rio Ferdinand was on Friday night giving serious thought to effectively ending his international career by withdrawing from the England squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.

The Manchester United defender has been called up by Roy Hodgson for the first time since the England coach succeeded Fabio Capello last year and looked set to add to his 81 international caps over the next 10 days.

Not convinced: Ferguson was caught by surprise that Ferdinand was recalled to Roy Hodgson's England squad

But the 34-year-old is contemplating pulling out after he was told by medical experts that the demands of juggling club and country could prove too much for his long-term back problem.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Ferdinand spoke first thing on Friday and talked with United's medical staff later in the day to see if the complicated programme designed specifically for the player's back could be incorporated into his training schedule while he is away with England.

Worryingly for Ferdinand, he was told that playing and training with England while not under the specialist care of his usual doctors would run the risk of ending his season.

Worries: Ferguson will consult United's medical staff before Ferdinand decides whether to accept the call-up

A decision is expected later on Saturday, in all likelihood after United have played their Barclays Premier League game against Reading on Saturday evening.

Ferguson would prefer him to concentrate on his club campaign and said: 'I was surprised as anyone when I heard about the call-up. I need to speak to the United doctor as we prepare Rio in a certain way and there are certain treatments he has to go through.

'We have to make sure he is going to be OK in terms of the number of games he plays. We have been doing that for two weeks and it has worked. We have to look at all these things before Rio decides.'

Former England captain Gary Lineker made his views on the matter clear yesterday when he said on Twitter: 'It's normal practice for managers to apply pressure on players. Been ever thus, and understandably so, but when your country calls... Seems SAF (Ferguson) is not keen for @rioferdy5 to play for England. Big players never allow manages to dissuade them from playing for their country.'

Club and country: Ferdinand, right, will make his decision known to Roy Hodgson on Saturday

With United facing key games in the Premier League and an FA Cup quarter-final replay with Chelsea the other side of the international break, Ferguson feels Ferdinand would be in better hands if he remained at their Carrington training complex over the next two weeks.

This view, however, has to be balanced against that of Ferdinand who understandably has an eye on what could be his third, and final, World Cup appearance in Brazil next month.

Leading the way: Ferdinand prepares for games with special methods to overcome injury worries, including yoga

What was clear on Friday was that Ferdinand was feeling some pressure from medical staff and his club manager and finds himself in a rather invidious position.

If he decides to play for England he will provoke Ferguson's displeasure at a time when he is trying to negotiate a new United contract.

If he withdraws, which seems most likely, he cannot expect to be picked again.

The FA were not commenting on Friday night, preferring to wait and see what happens after Saturday's match.

The England squad are not due to meet until Monday, so Hodgson still has time to call up a replacement if necessary.

It is understood Hodgson told Ferguson on Thursday that Ferdinand would be in his squad.

Ferdinand was also contacted directly while United - as is standard - received a letter from the FA's headquarters.

As such, the FA will presume Ferdinand intends to join up on Monday unless they hear otherwise.

Ferguson, meanwhile, refuted suggestions made by interim Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez on Friday that he had refused to shake hands before last week's FA game between the clubs.

Ferguson said: 'It is nonsense. Why would I refuse to shake his hand? I was signing autographs and I never saw him. Why he has said that I have no idea. If he wanted to shake hands he could have stood straight in front of me. It is absolute nonsense.'

Reading caretaker-manager Eamonn Dolan revealed he would call former boss Brian McDermott for advice on how to tackle United.

Taking advice: Brian McDermott (left) will likely give caretaker manager Eamonn Dolan (right) words of wisdom

Dolan said: 'I speak to Brian as a friend and I'm sure he'll give me the advice a friend would give. What he says to me will be down to Brian. I'm not sure what he'll say but he will do what he normally does as a friend.'