MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said Rio Ferdinand should be included in England's squad for Euro 2012.

The former England captain has not played his country since June for form fitness and reasons, while there are concerns over whether he can continue to line-up alongside longstanding defensive partner John Terry.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes Rio Ferdinand should be in England's squad for Euro 2012.

The former England captain has not played for his country since last June for form and fitness reasons, while there are also believed to be tensions between him and long-time defensive partner John Terry.

Chelsea skipper Terry is currently facing trial for racially abusing Ferdinand's younger brother Anton, charges he strongly denies.

New England manager Roy Hodgson has said he wants to meet both players but Ferguson has no doubts about Ferdinand's form since the United centre-half overcame back trouble.

“He has done fantastic this season,” Ferguson said of Ferdinand. “There was a period where I played him in three games in seven days from the end of January, but apart from that it has been every seven days.

“He has coped very well and has had a fantastic season.

“I don't know if Roy's thinking about the situation because I haven't spoken to him, but experience is going to be important in the European Championship.

“I think Phil Jones and Chris Smalling should go but they have not played a lot of football this season in terms of centre-back play, so you go back to what you are left with.

“You have John Terry and Rio Ferdinand and Gary Cahill. Then you have Jones and Smalling. There is not a lot after that.”Former England centre-back Martin Keown said Hodgson should take both Terry and Ferdinand to the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

However, for footballing reasons, he questioned whether they should still play together.

Keown, speaking at the BBC's Euro 2012 launch, said: “It is a big problem because they are both outstanding figures and personalities in the dressing room.

“They have both been captains of England and you don't want to dismiss these characters. You need to talk to them and think seriously.

“Does Rio want to carry on in international football? I still feel he has something to offer, but that is a question that needs to be asked.

“John has lost the captaincy and how does that sit with him now, coming into a squad where he is not the main event any more? Is he comfortable with that?

“Let's see what they have to say but I still think they have both got things to offer.

“I think he (Hodgson) would split them up, though. I don't think he would play them as a pair any more.

“You have got to think about pace and mobility, although Rio still does a decent job in that area.

“He was probably unfairly treated by Sir Alex Ferguson earlier in the season, suggesting he had lost his pace.

“He has shown good character to fight back and he won't want to give up international football.”