Ferdinand will bounce back - Beckham

David Beckham has backed Rio Ferdinand to come through his current missed drugs test turmoil and one day even replace him as England captain.

Manchester United defender Ferdinand is still mulling over whether to appeal against his eight-month ban.

But whatever happens, former Old Trafford teammate Beckham is confident it will not affect his long-term career, either with United or England.

Beckham told The Sun: “I don’t think Rio would quit England. I just don’t think he would do that. I have no doubts that Rio will respond in the right way.

“I have known him for a long time, even before he was at United. I knew him when he was at West Ham and even then I recognised how strong he was.

“It will make him stronger once he has come through all of this. It won’t stop him becoming a future England captain. I have no doubt he will come back from this – but I am not going to give up being national skipper easily!”