Rio Ferdinand has been quick to make sure no blame is passed to Emile Heseky after a tackle between the two ended in the England Captain being injured and ruled out of the 2010 World Cup. “The ball came in from one of the lads to Emile, I’d gone to try and tackle him from behind, he didn’t actually see me coming, we both went off balance and Emile’s weight went down on my knee - it’s no fault of his at all!” Said Ferdinand of the unfortunate incident.

With six weeks on the sidelines now ahead of him Ferdinand will now concentrate on supporting his team mates and getting his fitness back for the 2010/2011 Premiership season – “I’m not dying and it’s not like I’ll never be able to play football again. Hopefully I’ll be able to come back, do some good rehab and I’ll be fit. That’s what I’m concentrating on now”.