New Rio blow for Fergie and Fabio

Fabio Capello looks likely to plan England’s friendly with Egypt next week with a new captain in mind after Rio Ferdinand’s latest injury scare.

Three games into his comeback from a three-month lay-off with a back complaint, Ferdinand was forced to pull out of Manchester United’s victory over West Ham at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson immediately ruled him out of Sunday’s Carling Cup final.

If Capello went with Rooney, he certainly couldn’t pick anyone in more confident mood at present.

Two headers took Rooney’s tally to 27 this season, only 15 fewer than Cristiano Ronaldo managed in his stellar 2007–08 campaign.

Michael Owen added a third, his first goal since scoring a hat–trick against Wolfsburg in December, to seal a win that took United within a point of leaders Chelsea.