Rio Ferdinand has sensationally pulled out of the England squad.
After three days of prevarication, the Manchester United defender met England manager Roy Hodgson in London on Sunday evening ahead of the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.
Ferdinand told Hodgson that specialists who treat his ongoing back problem have warned him that to take a week-and-a-half off from his treatment programme would jeopardise his season.
Ferdinand, who has not played for his country since June 2011, was handed a surprise call-up to Hodgson's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.
There had been some doubt as to whether he would accept the call, with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson saying he would "need to speak to our doctor" to ascertain whether it would be possible for the 34-year-old to resume his international career. On Saturday, he had announced that Ferdinand would join up with the squad.
However, after Ferdinand held talks with Hodgson on Sunday, the defender has withdrawn from the squad, although the England manager has stressed that it is not necessarily the end of the player's international career.
"I'm disappointed Rio will not be available, but due to the detailed pre-planned training and medical programme he must follow it's not possible," he said. "I was pleased that Rio called and asked to meet with me. It was important to hear from him personally about the way he must manage his body between games.
"This is not to say he cannot play back-to-back games - he can and has proven so. He's out this time due to particular pre-planned details already in place for his programme.
"I must place on record how I was impressed with his commitment to playing for England and I look forward to hopefully selecting him for squads in the future."
Ferdinand remains upbeat about his chances of playing for England again.
"It was important for me to be able to speak with Roy face to face and explain the situation, and one thing I made clear was that my passion and commitment to represent my country is as strong as ever," he said. "It is disappointing that I won't be able to play a part in the upcoming games but I told Roy that I want to continue to be available for England and I look forward to working with him in the future."
The defender subsequently said via his Twitter account that he was "gutted" to have to withdraw from the double-header and reiterated his need to adhere to his strict training schedule.
KUHUSU RIO FERDINAND
1978: Born November 8, Peckham.
After three days of prevarication, the Manchester United defender met England manager Roy Hodgson in London on Sunday evening ahead of the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.
Ferdinand told Hodgson that specialists who treat his ongoing back problem have warned him that to take a week-and-a-half off from his treatment programme would jeopardise his season.
Ferdinand, who has not played for his country since June 2011, was handed a surprise call-up to Hodgson's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.
There had been some doubt as to whether he would accept the call, with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson saying he would "need to speak to our doctor" to ascertain whether it would be possible for the 34-year-old to resume his international career. On Saturday, he had announced that Ferdinand would join up with the squad.
However, after Ferdinand held talks with Hodgson on Sunday, the defender has withdrawn from the squad, although the England manager has stressed that it is not necessarily the end of the player's international career.
"I'm disappointed Rio will not be available, but due to the detailed pre-planned training and medical programme he must follow it's not possible," he said. "I was pleased that Rio called and asked to meet with me. It was important to hear from him personally about the way he must manage his body between games.
"This is not to say he cannot play back-to-back games - he can and has proven so. He's out this time due to particular pre-planned details already in place for his programme.
"I must place on record how I was impressed with his commitment to playing for England and I look forward to hopefully selecting him for squads in the future."
Ferdinand remains upbeat about his chances of playing for England again.
"It was important for me to be able to speak with Roy face to face and explain the situation, and one thing I made clear was that my passion and commitment to represent my country is as strong as ever," he said. "It is disappointing that I won't be able to play a part in the upcoming games but I told Roy that I want to continue to be available for England and I look forward to working with him in the future."
The defender subsequently said via his Twitter account that he was "gutted" to have to withdraw from the double-header and reiterated his need to adhere to his strict training schedule.
KUHUSU RIO FERDINAND
1978: Born November 8, Peckham.
1995: Turns professional with West Ham.
1996: May - Makes West Ham debut as substitute in draw with Sheffield Wednesday.
1997: February - Scores first West Ham goal in defeat at Blackburn.
November - Becomes youngest defender to play for England when he makes debut against Cameroon at Wembley.
1998: Named in Glenn Hoddle's England World Cup squad but does not play at tournament in France.
2000: Left out of the England squad for Euro 2000 by Kevin Keegan. Makes British record £18million move to Leeds in November.
2002: Scores first England goal in 3-0 win over Denmark in World Cup second round.
July 21 - Leeds agree to sell Ferdinand to Manchester United for £29.1million, making him the world's most expensive defender.
2003: May - Earns first Premier League winner's medal.
October - Reported to the Football Association for failing to attend a drugs test, and left out of England squad for Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey because of the controversy.
December 18 - Receives eight-month ban and £50,000 fine over missed drugs test.
2004: January 20 - Ferdinand begins his ban, which means he misses Euro 2004.
2005: August 8 - Agrees new four-year deal with United.
2007: November 21 - Absent through injury as England lose 3-2 to Croatia at Wembley and fail to qualify for Euro 2008.
2008: March 26 - Captains England for the first time and wins his 65th cap in 1-0 defeat in France.
May 15 - Signs new five-year United deal.
May 21 - Captains United to a Champions League final victory over Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out in Moscow.
2009: May 16 - United wrap up third successive Premier League title.
May 27 - Part of United team beaten 2-0 by Barcelona in Champions League final.
2010: February 5 - Succeeds John Terry as England skipper after Chelsea defender is stripped of post by manager Fabio Capello following allegations about Terry's private life.
June 4 - Ruled out of World Cup after injuring ligaments in his left knee in training.
2011: March 19 - Loses England captaincy to Terry, ahead of Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales.
May - Wins another Premier League title with United - his fifth. United lose 3-1 to Barca in Champions League final at Wembley.
2012: February - Rules himself out of the running to captain England after Terry is stripped of the duty pending the outcome of a July trial. Terry is due to answer a charge of racially abusing Ferdinand's brother, QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, but is later acquitted.
May 16 - Left out of England's squad for Euro 2012. He later writes on Twitter: "Absolutely loved playing for england... to say I'm gutted is an understatement of the highest order..."
August 17 - Fined £45,000 by the FA for acknowledging a tweet which referred to Ashley Cole - who gave evidence in defence of John Terry in his trial - as a 'choc ice'.
December 9 - Struck by a coin thrown from the crowd at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium as United claim a 3-2 derby victory.
2013: March 5 - Escapes UEFA action after sarcastically applauding Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir at the end of home defeat by Real Madrid in the Champions League.
March 10 - Escapes FA sanction for appearing to barge Chelsea striker Fernando Torres to the ground.
March 14 - Recalled to the England squad for World Cup qualifying matches against San Marino and Montenegro.
March 18 - Pulls out of the squad over fitness concerns
1996: May - Makes West Ham debut as substitute in draw with Sheffield Wednesday.
1997: February - Scores first West Ham goal in defeat at Blackburn.
November - Becomes youngest defender to play for England when he makes debut against Cameroon at Wembley.
1998: Named in Glenn Hoddle's England World Cup squad but does not play at tournament in France.
2000: Left out of the England squad for Euro 2000 by Kevin Keegan. Makes British record £18million move to Leeds in November.
2002: Scores first England goal in 3-0 win over Denmark in World Cup second round.
July 21 - Leeds agree to sell Ferdinand to Manchester United for £29.1million, making him the world's most expensive defender.
2003: May - Earns first Premier League winner's medal.
October - Reported to the Football Association for failing to attend a drugs test, and left out of England squad for Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey because of the controversy.
December 18 - Receives eight-month ban and £50,000 fine over missed drugs test.
Big stage: Ferdinand (No 5) scored for England against Denmark at the World Cup in 2002
2005: August 8 - Agrees new four-year deal with United.
2007: November 21 - Absent through injury as England lose 3-2 to Croatia at Wembley and fail to qualify for Euro 2008.
2008: March 26 - Captains England for the first time and wins his 65th cap in 1-0 defeat in France.
May 15 - Signs new five-year United deal.
May 21 - Captains United to a Champions League final victory over Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out in Moscow.
2009: May 16 - United wrap up third successive Premier League title.
May 27 - Part of United team beaten 2-0 by Barcelona in Champions League final.
2010: February 5 - Succeeds John Terry as England skipper after Chelsea defender is stripped of post by manager Fabio Capello following allegations about Terry's private life.
June 4 - Ruled out of World Cup after injuring ligaments in his left knee in training.
2011: March 19 - Loses England captaincy to Terry, ahead of Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales.
May - Wins another Premier League title with United - his fifth. United lose 3-1 to Barca in Champions League final at Wembley.
Crocked: Ferdinand's 2010 World Cup was over before it had started after he was injured during training
May 16 - Left out of England's squad for Euro 2012. He later writes on Twitter: "Absolutely loved playing for england... to say I'm gutted is an understatement of the highest order..."
August 17 - Fined £45,000 by the FA for acknowledging a tweet which referred to Ashley Cole - who gave evidence in defence of John Terry in his trial - as a 'choc ice'.
December 9 - Struck by a coin thrown from the crowd at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium as United claim a 3-2 derby victory.
2013: March 5 - Escapes UEFA action after sarcastically applauding Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir at the end of home defeat by Real Madrid in the Champions League.
March 10 - Escapes FA sanction for appearing to barge Chelsea striker Fernando Torres to the ground.
March 14 - Recalled to the England squad for World Cup qualifying matches against San Marino and Montenegro.
March 18 - Pulls out of the squad over fitness concerns
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