World Cup Tour news: 'No question mark' over Rio Ferdinand's fitness

18/12/2009

Rio Ferdinand has vowed to be one of the players football fans will be able to see on a World Cup Tour package.

The Manchester United defender said he is currently working on his fitness in the gym in an effort to ensure he is in England manager Fabio Capello's squad in South Africa.

Ferdinand explained that although the recovery has been quite slow, "we're getting there".

He remarked: "I'm confident I'll be fit. There's no question I'll be ready for next summer."

The stopper is one of a number of Manchester United players sweating on their spot on the plane to the tournament.

Midfielder Owen Hargreaves is also coming back from an injury, while striker Michael Owen recently staked a claim with a hat-trick for the Red Devils in a Champions League match against Wolfsburg.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson promised to give the former Liverpool and Newcastle United hitman enough time on the pitch to stake a claim for being in Capello's squad.