Rio says he will be ready to rock for England

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has shrugged off long-term injury fears and insists he will be ready for the World Cup next summer (England 11/2 World Cup 2010 Outright).

The centre-back has not played since the 2-0 defeat by bitter rivals Liverpool in October because of a calf injury, which is related to a previous back problem, and has seen a specialist to determine when he can make his return.

The 31-yrear-old is refusing to give a date for his comeback for the champions (Man United 9/4 Premier League - Outright) but is convinced the problem will not stop him boarding the plane with England for South Africa.

"I'm confident I'll be fit. There's no question I'll be ready for next summer," Ferdinand said.

England coach has suggested he not consider any player not 100 per cent match fit and Ferdinand recognises he needs games under his belt.

Ferdinand, speaking at the launch of his Live the Dream charity foundation in London on Wednesday night, added: "The treatment on my injury is going well. It's been quite slowly slowly but we're getting there.

"I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's been a tough and long layoff for me because I have never been injured before."