Rio is pinning hopes on phone call

RIO FERDINAND is set to argue he was denied an opportunity to take a drugs test when he launches his defence against an FA misconduct charge in Bolton next week.

It has emerged Ferdinand contacted Manchester United officials 90 minutes after he was due to take the test on September 23 following a series of frantic calls from the club's Carrington training ground when it became apparent the England man had failed to turn up as planned.

Doping controllers were still at Carrington at that time but it is reported they told Ferdinand he could not return to take the test.