Veteran ... Rio Ferdinand earns a place in Roy Hodgson's England's squad. Source: AFP
England manager Roy Hodgson says he has no fears about asking Rio Ferdinand to play alongside Ashley Cole for the national team, despite concerns about their relationship.
Ferdinand, 34, has been recalled to the England squad by Hodgson, 21 months after his last international appearance.
The Manchester United centre-back's relationship with Cole has been under scrutiny ever since the Chelsea left-back testified in support of club-mate John Terry, who had been accused of racially abusing Ferdinand's brother, Anton.
Rio Ferdinand was subsequently fined by the Football Association for a Twitter message in which he referred to Cole as a "choc ice'' - a slang term used to describe someone who is perceived to be 'black on the outside, white on the inside'.
Ferdinand insisted he only intended to describe Cole as "fake'', but the feud lingered.
The pair have not lined up alongside each other for England since Ferdinand's last appearance against Switzerland in June 2011, but Hodgson expects them to put any differences they may have to one side.
Asked if he was worried that Cole might have concerns about playing with Ferdinand, the England manager replied: "Let's hope he doesn't. I'll cross the bridge when I come to it.''
"These players are fierce rivals sometimes on the field of play and they've got very special agendas for their club teams,'' he said.
"So when you bring a national team together, there's always the job of trying to make certain that the group is comfortable and people are comfortable with each other.
"But we're talking about two very experienced professional players here and we're talking about the England football team, so I don't envisage any problems.''
Ferdinand was believed to have been hurt when Hodgson omitted him from England's squad for Euro 2012, but the former Fulham coach said he was optimistic about repairing the relationship.
"I suppose it's a concern, yes,'' he said.
"If he has a grievance, and does hold it against me, then there's not much I can do about that.''
England will expect to beat San Marino on Thursday, but the trip to Group H leaders Montenegro the following week is a different proposition.
Defeat for England could leave them five points behind their rivals, with only the top team in each pool guaranteed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Ben Foster, Joe Hart, Fraser Forster
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker
Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley , Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Leon Osman, Scott Parker, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young
Forwards: Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Daniel Welbeck
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