Sol Campbell defends Rio Ferdinand and backs Manchester United defender to... - The Independent

Sol Campbell has guarded Rio Ferdinand's decision to withdraw from the England team, and thinks the Manchester United defense still has an international future. Ferdinand, 34, have been included in Roy Hodgson's squad for the Planet Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro, but withdrew to follow along with a pre-planned exercise routine built to help him manage his long-standing straight back problems. Ferdinand was extensively criticised for his withdrawal, and he received further flak when he flew to Doha to be always a pundit on Al Jazeera's protection of the San Marino fitting. But former England, Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle opponent Campbell has jumped to the protection of his former team-mate. He said: "I know what Rio is going through since global football does have a lot out of you. "If you have a routine, an easy method of playing and a schedule then playing for your country takes a many more energy. "If you are in a happy and routine with that and then you're trying to play still another game it may be demanding on the body. "Playing for England can put a lot of demands on your own body. And you then have to play for your membership and get back. "If you have maybe not put that into your routine and no-one has told you that they are considering putting you in a month before then it is difficult to put it in." And Campbell does not feel the existing furore marks the conclusion of Ferdinand's England profession. "He (Rio) said he'd love to be concerned next one," he added. "It is just a essential moment for England and Manchester United so it is a difficult for him to determine. It is physical. International basketball and the travelling is demanding. "People have to talk and work it out. I think it was just a surprise to Rio since he was considering, 'Well, I've not got a chance and then all of a with a few injuries he'd a chance.' It had been surprising." Campbell was talking after watching Wales practice before their World Cup qualifier with Croatia, included in doing his teaching badges. He said: "Watching Wales practice is all area of the learning process. "I am doing my N licence and I complete around June time and then I will start my A banner. Time will be known in three years by "i if instruction is some thing for me personally in the long-term."