Sir Alex Ferguson urges Rio Ferdinand to forget about England

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has told Rio Ferdinand to focus on his club career and forget about a return to the national team.

Ferdinand was a surprise exclusion from England's Euro 2012 squad, and there were suggestions that his omission was due to the ongoing court case between John Terry and Ferdinand's brother, Anton.

However, with the follow-up FA Tribunal relating to that dispute inciting Terry to quit England, a return to the national side has been mooted for Ferdinand, who has not retired from international football and has continued to make himself available for a call-up.

Ferguson, however, has cautioned against such a move. The United boss said: "Rio could do the job for England, there's no doubt about that, but I don't see why he should.

"He should concentrate on his career here, that's what I'd prefer. If he looks after himself there is no reason why he can't play on."

England's next squad will be announced before their next two fixtures, against San Marino and Poland in their World Cup qualifying campaign, on the 10th and 16th of October respectively.