Former England International defender Sol Campbell has come to the defence of Rio Ferdinand, according to the Daily Mail.

The former Tottenham and Arsenal man has leaped to the defence of his former partner ahead of tonight's game with Montenegro stating that the Manchester United player would have been 'shocked' to have received the call-up.

Ferdinand has struggled with injuries this season and withdrew from the England squad due to his 'intricate and pre-planned' regime of training with Manchester United, something Campbell sympathizes with.

He told The Mirror: 'People have to talk and work it out. I think it [the call-up] was a shock to Rio.

'He was probably thinking he didn't have a chance and then all of a sudden he has a chance. It was kind of surprising.

'I know what Rio is going through, the extra matches take a lot out of you. If you haven't put that into your routine or if no one a month ago told you, 'I'm thinking about putting you in', it's hard.

'International football is physically demanding - and there is the travelling. If you're in your routine and all of a sudden you have to look into playing another game it is demanding on the body.'

If it was up to the travelling fans Rio will have played his last game for England, as they vented their anger towards the player during the 8-0 win over San Marino last Friday.

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