Gary Pallister: Rio Deserves England Recall

Rio Ferdinand should be recalled by England and could play at the 2014 World Cup, says former Manchester United defender Gary Pallister.

The 33-year-old United centre-back was not in Roy Hodgson's latest squad despite John Terry retiring from international football.

"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."

Ferdinand, who has won 81 caps for his country, was not selected for Euro 2012 for "football reasons", according to Hodgson.

And he was omitted from Hodgson's latest squad - for the World Cup qualifiers at home to San Marino on Friday and in Poland four days later - despite Terry's retirement.

Terry, 31, who was selected for the Euro 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine, was charged with racially abusing Ferdinand's younger brother Anton during a Premier League match between QPR and Chelsea in October 2011.

In July, Terry was cleared of the charge at Westminster Magistrates' Court but last month a Football Association hearing found him guilty of racially abusing Ferdinand, banning him for four games and issuing a £220,000 fine.

In England's last match, a 1-1 draw at home to Ukraine, Everton's Phil Jagielka and Joleon Lescott of Manchester City - both aged 30 - were the central defensive pairing. Jagielka was winning his 14th cap while Lescott has played in 23 internationals.

"I'm not saying we've got bad players there but with John Terry retiring, we look inexperienced in defence," said Pallister, who won 22 England caps between 1988 and 1996.

"We've heard nothing to say Rio wants to retire which would suggest he wants to carry on playing for England.

"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. Instances like him getting isolated against Tottenham's Gareth Bale are very few and far between.

"I think he just knows the game inside out. If he stays fit and injury free then he could play a part in the World Cup at 35. He's a good organiser, he's a very accomplished player and at international level, sometimes the game's a bit slower as well, which might help."

Last week Hodgson apologised to Ferdinand for discussing the defender's future during a journey on the London Underground, but club manager Sir Alex Ferguson is content to see him out of the England squad and concentrating on United.

Pallister acknowledges it might be difficult for Hodgson to change his mind over the player, but believes he can still play a part at international level.

"I can understand where Roy Hodgson's coming from in terms of preparing for the next World Cup and it may be very difficult to go back and ask Rio to play, but in terms of ability, I think it's a no-brainer," said Pallister, who was speaking at an event to mark 90 years of the Football Pools.

"Rio is still playing at the top level, he's a class act and could still offer a lot for England."

Rio Ferdinand's England career
Born: 8 November, 1978
1997: Makes England debut v Cameroon at Wembley
1998: Named in squad for 1998 World Cup finals but does not play
2000: Left out of Euro 2000 squad
2002: Scores first England goal in 3-0 win over Denmark at 2002 World Cup
2004: Banned for eight months after missing drugs test
2006: Plays five games at World Cup in Germany
2008: Captains England for first time in defeat by France in March but loses out to John Terry for permanent skipper role
2010: Terry stripped of captaincy and Ferdinand given armband but injury rules him out of 2010 World Cup
2011: Makes his 81st appearance in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland