Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand will not retire from England duty after losing captaincy to John Terry

Rio Ferdinand will not retire from international duty despite losing the England captaincy to John Terry, according to reports. The Manchester United defender was named as the successor to Terry after the Chelsea centre-back was stripped of the armband following allegations surrounding his private life.

Ferdinand has struggled with injury this season though, and Terry was reinstated as captain by manager Fabio Capello last week. BBC Sport claims Ferdinand will not rule himself out of selection for the national side once he has recovered from a long-term calf problem, however.

England face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday in a crucial Euro 2012 qualifier, before facing Ghana in a friendly on Wembley, with Terry set to captain the side on both occasions. Ferdinand, meanwhile, could be out for the rest of the season, according to his club.