Rio: I didn't expect England axe

Rio Ferdinand claims he is determined to recover his best form and regain his England place.

The 27-year-old was surprised at being dropped for the World Cup qualifier against Austria last month despite a number of below-par performances for Manchester United.

He regained his place for the final qualifier against Poland because of injury to Sol Campbell but is now not certain of starting in Saturday’s friendly against Argentina in Geneva.

Ferdinand told The Sun: “I didn’t expect to be dropped by England.

“But you have to roll your sleeves up and get on with it and prove you are worthy of winning your place back.

“It’s something that hurt and it is hard when the manager is naming the team and you are not in it.

“You don’t want that feeling and I don’t want to feel it again. It’s up to me isn’t it? I want to start against Argentina, of course I do.”