World Cup qual - Ferdinand out, Cahill called up

Eurosport - Wed, 03 Jun 09:06:00 2009

England defender Rio Ferdinand has been ruled out of the World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan and Gary Cahill has received a shock call-up.

2009 England Rio Ferdinand - 0

Ferdinand's calf injury, a complaint he was understood to be carrying before Manchester United's Champions League final, means he will miss the trip to Almaty but could return for the clash against Andorra next week after the problem is assessed.

With Phil Jagielka sidelined, England boss Fabio Capello turned to Cahill after the 23-year-old's impressive season with Bolton.

"I was at home and I got a phone call from the FA (Football Association) saying that they wanted me in the squad," Cahill said on his club's official website.

"I've had to get a few tools together - the boots and the shin pads - and now I am really looking forward to the opportunity.

"I've had a good season and I've worked really hard. I've been in the provisional squad twice before and then this third time I was included once again, so I'm obviously delighted to get the call."

Tottenham skipper Ledley King, whose call-up in March caused controversy as he cannot play matches in quick succession because of a chronic knee problem, would have been another option but he could only have played in one of the two qualifiers.

Cahill now joins Matthew Upson and Joleon Lescott as the players competing for a place alongside skipper John Terry at centre-back for the clash against Kazakhstan.

The rest of Capello's squad have trained, including Chelsea full-back Ashley Cole, who sat out yesterday after taking a kick during the FA Cup final at the weekend.

PA Sport / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 14 of 34

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  1. Turner from Hull City is one of the best centre backs­ in the Premier League. He won't get a look in­ though will he?

    From Get rid of the Lords, on Tue 2 Jun 9:04PM
  2. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    could someone whisper in that cokeheads,rubber­ lips,useless t its ear that kazakhstan has no barcelona­ players playing for them and its not being held in rome

    From fergieisagenitalwart, on Tue 2 Jun 8:33PM
  3. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    could someone whisper in that cokeheads,rubber­ lips,useless t its ear that kazakhstan has no barcelona­ players playing for them and its not being held in rome

    From fergieisagenitalwart, on Tue 2 Jun 8:32PM
  4. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    ALL ENGLISH FOOTBALL
    PREMIER LEAGUE – FA CUP – CARLING­ CUP
    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – UEFA CUP

    ALL MATCHES ON­ INTERNET: PREMIER LEAGUE, FA CUP, CHAMPIONSHIP,­ CARLING CUP, LIGA, SERIE A, BUNDESLIGA, CHAMPIONS­ LEAGUE - UEFA CUP, CONFEDERATONS CUP AND MUCH MORE
    ­
    ALL THE HIGH LIGHTS OF PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHES

    From WWW.PREMIERSHIP.ALTERVISTA.ORG, on Tue 2 Jun 8:25PM

  5. Why not Michael Dawson? He's alot better than Gary­ Cahill and he's got experience in the England­ squad. Plus he's been in top form this season.­ Where's ur sense fabio?

    From ShoppingDove5985, on Tue 2 Jun 8:18PM

  6. even great defender does blunder! england has many­ talent! nows the time n chance for them to shine

    From phatzsobeby_81, on Tue 2 Jun 5:55PM

  7. RIO SHOULD HAVE BEEN HONEST AND SAID HE WAS NOT FIT TO­ GO!!! HE ALSO SHOULD HAVE BEEN ONEST WITH FERGIE AS­ WELL AS IT WAS VERY CLEAR TO ALL WHO WATCHED THE­ CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL HE WAS NOT AT HIS BEST HE NOW­ HAS MORE TIME TO GET HIMSELF FIT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED­ PRE-SEASON SO COME ON RIO LETS BE HONEST WITH­ EVERYONE!!!!!!

    From roy.mcevoy, on Tue 2 Jun 5:55PM

  8. HE SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE IN THE FIRST PLACE HAS HE­ DID'NT TURN UP FOR MANCHESTER UNITED IN CHAMPIONS­ LEAGUE FINAL AS WITH CARRICK THINK OF ALL THOSE OTHER­ PLAYERS WHO CAN DO A BETTER JOB!!!

    From roy, on Tue 2 Jun 5:40PM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I'M NOT A BIG FAN OF RIO BUT HE MUST BE ONE OF THE­ BEST DEFENDER'S IN THE WORLD.SO WHY LEAVE HIM OUT­ OF THE TEAM.

    From clive, on Tue 2 Jun 5:35PM

  10. What did Woodgate do to piss Capello off so much, to­ overlook him 5times????????

    From repettitsonsltd, on Tue 2 Jun 5:05PM

  11. 'acoward'......you haven't a clue. Rio was­ desperate to be fit for the CL final but it was clear­ that he was still struggling. He needs the time to­ recover properly so as no to lose one of England's­ most gifted and natural footballers. Rio is a true­ professional for both club and country and doesn't­ like missing out on caps and games.

    From Savvas, on Tue 2 Jun 4:52PM

  12. its a good job he is giving the trip a miss as he had­ probably been on the spliffs anyway

    From KarlB, on Tue 2 Jun 4:29PM

  13. Well done Gary CAHILL you deserve the call. A player­ that is honest, hard working and a great role model.­ Thus proving that while playing at so call smaller­ unfasinable clubs you still have the chance to­ represent your country.
    The only sad thing as a Bolton­ fan is he will probably now go to a top ten club.

    From Colly, on Tue 2 Jun 4:24PM

  14. Another injury on a long range trip, this only proves­ that this waste of space plays for himself and not his­ team. ie one of the worst players in the champions­ league after recovering from another injury who did not­ play weeks before the final. I bet if it was in the­ finals he would play.
    It's about time that players­ like fernindand who cry off are dumped from the England­ team and replaced by players who really want it.

    From acowan.work, on Tue 2 Jun 4:16PM
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