If he is charged, he will have 14 days to respond and request a personal hearing during which time he will not be suspended - despite being left out of the England squad this week.

If he is to be banned at all, that suspension will only be imposed at the full FA disciplinary hearing.

It means Ferdinand should be available to play for Manchester United at his former club Leeds on October 18, the Champions League match at Rangers on October 22 and Fulham's visit to Old Trafford on October 25.

It is understood that both United and the FA are working on the assumption that Ferdinand will not be suspended during the time between the interview on Monday and a disciplinary hearing.

The case is certain to end in a charge as missing a drugs test is governed by 'strict liability' rules which means that excuses can only be used to lessen punishment rather than avoid a guilty finding.

United are sure to appeal against any punishment more severe than a fine, believing that the FA have already set a precedent by fining Manchester City's Christian Negouai £2,000 for missing a drugs test last season.

The FA have appointed a new chief executive since then, Mark Palios, who has underlined his determination to be tough on drugs.

However, football is not bound by the World Anti-Doping Code until August next year, and it may be the FA only fine Ferdinand too or impose a short ban and use the case as an opportunity to announce tougher new rules to players.