By Ollie Irish

Rio Ferdinand is back. Brrrraaaaaaaaaaaap! And Anderson too. Braaaaaaaap! Here are some pics of them playing for Man Utd’s Reserves at Oldham (United won 2-1). Brrraaap!

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Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand warms up prior to the Premier Reserve League at Bower Field, Stalybridge.

Photos: PA

Man Utd’s official site had this to say about the comeback(s):

“Rio Ferdinand returned to competitive action in the Reserves’ Manchester Senior Cup clash with Oldham Athletic.

The defender, who was denied the chance to captain England in the summer’s World Cup by knee ligament damage, completed 45 minutes at Bower Fold, and showed no ill-effects during his return.

Ferdinand was largely untroubled during his outing, and left the fray at half-time with the game goalless. Second half goals from Nicky Ajose and Kiko Macheda secured a 2-1 win for United, while Rio watched on from the stands.

In a further boost to Sir Alex Ferguson’s senior squad, Brazilian midfielder Anderson completed 90 minutes in his own ongoing return from knee ligament damage.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who manages United’s Reserves, thinks Rio is ready to return to the first team:

“There was no problem whatsoever,” Solskjaer said about Ferdinand after the match. “It was always planned that he would play 45 minutes. I am not sure he needs any more games. Rio is a naturally fit lad. Today was about distances and getting tighter to the ball.

“Now he is available for selection again. Rio is always the same player, it is a while since he has played but he was still calm. He has got through an important 45 minutes, straight after two very hard training sessions on Tuesday and the day before so we are delighted with him.”

All good news for Fergie. And Anderson even got home in one piece after the match.

I wonder if the return to fitness of Anderson was a factor in United’s decision to drop out of the race to sign Van der Vaart? Or is it simply that United don’t have the cash? Perhaps a bit of both. Whatever, Anderson still has a lot to prove at Old Trafford.

                          

By Ollie Irish

A fresh, steaming tweet from Rio Ferdinand’s official Twitter account (@rioferdy5 – yes, it is really him, he called up Talksport to verify it):

So Rio hates going for a No.2 in a train toilet. He’s just like us normals!

(Please do tell us if you think Pies’ journalistic standards are slipping. Ahem.)

                          

By Ollie Irish

“I’m too old for this shit.”

Manchester United club captain Gary Neville has been ruled out of the club’s pre-season tour of North America and Mexico because of a new injury.

The 35-year-old right-back will remain at the Carrington for treatment on a calf problem, as his United team-mates leave on Monday for Chicago.

Last season, Neville played well enough on his comeback from serious injury to earn a one-year extension to his contract. But a calf tear suffered in training means he won’t get to visit the Windy City this summer.

This is the United squad that will travel on Monday: Edwin van der Sar, Tomasz Kuszczak, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Dimitar Berbatov, John O’Shea, Wes Brown, Rafael, Jonny Evans, Darren Fletcher, Darron Gibson, Chris Smalling, Nani, Fabio, Federico Macheda, Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez (will join in Houston on 27 July), Mame Biram Diouf, Tom Cleverley, Ritchie De Laet, Corry Evans, Ben Amos, Gabriel Obertan.

As you can see, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen don’t travel either, and it seems both may also miss the start of the season. According to Fergie, Owen is the more likely of the pair to be fit in time: “Michael is doing great. He is working in the gym every day,” the United gaffer said. “I do not think he will be fit to go to America [correct] but he should be ready for the start of the season.”

                          

By Paul Sorene

RIO Ferdinand is all set to have the most depressing holiday album since Old Mr Anorak (our patron) went on the Digitas Wet Weekend tour of Swiss banks. We spotted Rio sat alone amid the plastic seats as his teammates trained at the Bafokeng Stadium. It’s the USA tomorrow. The chants are ready – you can pick up the new lyrics here. And you can see England getting in shape in our gallery:

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An injured Rio Ferdinand watches on without his crutches during a training session at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenberg, South Africa.

                          

By Ollie Irish

Watch out for the flattering pic of Stuart Psycho Pearce…

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England's Wayne Rooney during a training session at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Complex, Rustenberg, South Africa.

Photos: Owen Humphreys / PA

Wayne Rooney wearing a big ole crucifix!? Oh Lordy, this must be some sort of hilarious in-joke between England’s players, rather than a sincere religious statement.

And those pics of Rio Ferdinand sitting on his own are almost unbearably poignant, especially in contrast to the XXL grin on John Terry’s massive face – whatever you think of Mr Merk, imagine how it must feel to be on the brink of leading your country out at the biggest sporting event in history and suddenly have that dream shattered. We feel for you, Rio.

Check out the latest offers and watch the World Cup in style with a HD TV from PC World

                          

By Ollie Irish

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Football fans gather outside the stadium, prior to the training match at Moruleng Stadium, Moruleng, South Africa.

Photos: Owen Humphreys / PA

(Great pics, Owen, by the way)

The main thing for England was to survive this run-out without picking up any fresh injuries. In that respect, it was a successful training exercise, even if there was a bit too much huff ‘n’ puff (England’s work rate was very good), and not enough inspiration.

England scored through Jermain Defoe, Joe Cole (the only Englishman to play 90 minutes, no doubt because Capello can see he lacks match fitness) and Wayne Rooney.

The Platinum Stars blasted an early penalty over the bar (the Adidas Jabulani + altitude = beach ball), conceded by Glen Johnson, but apart from that – and it was a harsh penalty anyway – England dominated, as expected. Oh, and Emile Heskey bungled a couple of easy chances, so nothing new there. I still expect him to start with Rooney on Saturday.

Now bring on those Yanks…

                          

By Ollie Irish

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England's Rio Ferdinand hobbles down the stairs during a training session at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Complex, Rustenberg, South Africa.

Poor Rio.

                          

By Ollie Irish

Tottenham defender Michael Dawson at Heathrow before boarding a flight to Johannesburg. Dawson has been called up to replace crocked Rio Ferdinand in England’s World Cup squad.

Get in there Daws!

                          

England captain Rio Ferdinand leaves the Netcare Ferncrest hospital in Rustenburg on crutches after injuring his knee in training. According to an FA source, it’s “not looking good” for Rio.

Photo: Owen Humphreys / PA

                          

By Ollie Irish

Uh-oh. England captain Rio Ferdinand has suffered an injury setback during the squad’s first training session in South Africa. Not good.

The centre-back suffered a knee injury in the final minutes of this morning’s session and went immediately to hospital to undergo a scan.

England manager Fabio Capello is unsure yet how bad the injury is.

Capello confirmed: “Rio picked up a knee problem in training. It happened near the end. He has gone to hospital for a scan and we will have to see how things are.”

It’s bad news for England’s morale, but on the other hand it’s not like Rio has looked in fine form or shape of late. Michael Dawson is on standby and may yet be needed by his country.

UPDATE: Latest reports suggest Rio is OUT of the World Cup! What a day. Michael Dawson, pack yer bags.