Ferdinand to be left out of England squad

England manager Roy Hodgson is set to omit Rio Ferdinand from his squad for Euro 2012 while fellow defender Kyle Walker misses out through injury.

Ferdinand, 33, has not played for the national side since the 2-2 draw with Switzerland in June last year.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson recently raised doubts about the centre-back’s ability to play tournament football.

The 23-man squad will be named at 13:00 BST on Wednesday.

Spurs full-back Walker, 21, won his two England caps in November last year, but sustained his toe problem in the 2-0 victory over Fulham at the weekend.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp had initially suggested that Walker’s injury was minor and that he would be fit to link up with Hodgson’s squad.

Former England captain Ferdinand has been hampered by back problems in recent years but made 30 Premier League appearances this season, the most he has featured in a campaign since 2007-08.

But his club manager Ferguson said recently: “You play something like a game every four days. Rio Ferdinand couldn’t do that.”

Ferdinand’s situation was also complicated by an ongoing issue involving John Terry.

Chelsea defender Terry was stripped of the England captaincy in February after allegations that he racially abused Ferdinand’s brother, QPR defender Anton.

The Chelsea captain denies the charges and is scheduled to stand trial in July.

Former coach Fabio Capello publicly criticised the Football Association’s decision to remove Terry of the captaincy – a turn of events that led Capello to resign.

Tottenham full-back Walker, 21, won his two England caps in November last year, but sustained a toe problem in the 2-0 victory over Fulham at the weekend.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp had initially suggested that Walker’s injury was minor and that he would be fit to link up with Hodgson’s squad.

Hodgson will hold a news conference to explain his first England squad at 14:00 on Wednesday. It will be streamed live on BBC Sport online and shown on the BBC News Channel.