Gazza: FA should have backed Rio

Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne claims the UK Football Association "should have been more understanding" over Rio Ferdinand's drug test row.

Gascoigne, famously left out of the England squad on the eve of the 1998 World Cup by then-manager Glenn Hoddle, claimed other countries would have backed a player in these circumstances.

Ferdinand claims he forgot to attend a routine test when doping control officers from UK Sport turned up at Manchester United's Carrington training ground on September 23.

Gascoigne told Sky Sports News: "If this had happened in another country, they would have backed the player all the way. It's a very important game and we need to win.

"The FA should have been more understanding. I can see the FA's point, but another association would put Rio back in the squad to get the confidence back up in the squad."

Gascoigne also urged Sven-Goran Eriksson to play Wayne Rooney from the start in the crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey.

Questions have been raised about how the temperamental teenager will fare in such an intimidating atmosphere, but Gascoigne has no doubts the Everton striker can cope.

"He has got something about him and the kid is full of confidence at the moment," he said.

"I've no doubt that with the players around him will definitely give him a boost and I would definitely start him against Turkey."