Rio Ferdinand Injured, England Running Out of Captains

The injury news just keeps on coming. Didier Drogba’s fractured forearm means his participation in South Africa 2010 lies somewhere between unlikely and none. Now it seems that England captain Rio Ferdinand could miss out too after he injured his knee in a training session. Not just a little twist or a tweak, but something bad enough that Ferdinand left hospital on crutches today. Apparently all signs point to ligament damage. Which almost certainly means no World Cup for Rio.

For the record, nothing is confirmed at time of writing. But apparently Michael Dawson (the Spurs defender cut from the final England squad on June 1st) has been told to pack his bags and start looking for flights to South Africa.

This isn’t really a huge shock, since Ferdinand has had injury problems all season long with Man Utd. England’s other centre back options are Ledley King (who famously has his own knee problems, Matty Upson and Jamie Carragher, plus Dawson if and when he’s added to the squad). But maybe the bigger blow for England is that they’ve lost another captain.

John Terry was famously stripped of the England armband for (do we still need to say allegedly?) bumping uglies with the mother of ex-teammate Wayne Bridge’s children. But let’s not reopen that can of England worms again. Ferdinand was the replacement, stepping up from vice captain. Now if Ferdinand’s out then Steven Gerrard – many English fans first choice as England captain when Fabio Capello took over in 2008 – will be promoted. I’m not 100% sure who the new vice captain will be, but I think it’s Wayne Rooney.

USA fans may be pleased to hear the news about Ferdinand’s injury ahead of the England vs USA game on June 12th, but maybe less so when they hear that Jozy Altidore has sprained his right ankle. Likewise Italy fans will be worried to hear about Andrea Pirlo’s calf injury, and Brazil fans will be concerned by Julio Cesar’s back problems.

Is anyone at World Cup 2010 not injured? Maybe we should all start polishing our football boots and doing a few shuttle runs, and then see if there’s any room on that plane with Michael Dawson.