Ferdinand to make way for Campbell
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is set to drop central defender Rio Ferdinand to accommodate the return of Sol Campbell for tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier against Austria, according to reports.
The suggestion is the Swede will deviate from his usual policy of sticking by the established players and replace the out of form Manchester United defender with his Arsenal counterpart.
Campbell, who lost his place in the international side after injury last season, has been impressing the England coach in training this week and with John Terry virtually an automatic pick after his inspirational performances as Chelsea captain it appears Ferdinand will be the one to miss out.
Eriksson has said he will revert to 4-4-2 after the 5-4-1 experiment backfired embarrassingly in the defeat to Northern Ireland, which means captain David Beckham will return to the right flank.
The rest of the midfield is likely to see Chelsea’s Joe Cole play on the left with Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard occupying central midfield.
Charlton’s Luke Young and Jamie Carragher should replace the injured full-backs Gary Neville and Ashley Cole.
In the absence of the suspended Wayne Rooney, Liverpool’s 6ft 7ins striker Peter Crouch is expected to partner former Anfield favourite Michael Owen up front.
Reports also suggest Beckham has handed over penalty-taking duties to Lampard after the Real Madrid midfielder missed his last three from the spot.
