Sir Alex Ferguson Shows His Influence Again Over Rio Ferdinand Saga: The Nightly EPL

Either Rio Ferdinand is fit enough to play for England, or he isn’t. And judging by Ferdinand’s decision today to pull out of the England squad because he’s unprepared for England’s fitness and medical program, then what on earth is Ferdinand wanting to play for England again if his body isn’t fit enough to play two games for England over a fortnight?

“The issue is not that [the amount of games], the issue is his whole preparation for football today,” said Ferguson. “Because he hasn’t been playing international football when the international breaks have come along we have detailed all the things he has to do: when he trains, when his treatments come along. Therefore it is a disruption to his normal preparation.”

If it’s a disruption to his normal preparation of a one-on-one tailored physical program, maybe it’d be wise for Ferdinand to retire from international duty. What would happen, for example, if Ferdinand was selected for the 2014 World Cup squad in Brazil? It’s time for Ferdinand and Ferguson to say no more England matches, so younger players such as Steven Caulker can slot in to the team on a regular basis instead.

Here are tonight’s Premier League news headlines:

• Sir Alex Ferguson shows his influence again over Rio Ferdinand saga — The Guardian
• Rio Ferdinand confusion leaves Roy Hodgson with questions to answer — The Guardian
• Arsenal deny Jack Wilshere will miss a further six weeks through injury — The Mail
• Everton’s Shane Duffy apologises after tweeting support for IRA on St Patrick’s Day — The Mail
• Shoulder surgery sidelines Liverpool’s Joe Allen for rest of season — The Guardian
• Gary Cahill a serious doubt for England World Cup qualifiers due to injury — The Independent
• Villas-Boas does not blame European exertion for Premier League defeat — The Guardian
• Callum McManaman tackle was as clean as a whistle says Dave Whelan — The Independent
• Sunderland disconnect depresses chairman Ellis Short’s high ambitions — The Guardian
• West Brom have fined Peter Odemwingie £76,000 for his latest Twitter outburst — Telegraph
• Frank Lampard’s 200th goal puts Chelsea’s Bobby Tambling back in focus — The Guardian
• Inter Milan charged over ‘racism’ against Tottenham — BBC Sport
• John Carver faces FA charge for McManaman row during Newcastle’s game at Wigan — The Mail
• Newcastle United may sue Wigan Athletic for Callum McManaman’s horror tackle — Telegraph

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