Injured Ferdinand can stay back to help England win World Cup: Capello

London, Jun 6 (ANI): England boss has asked injured skipper Rio Ferdinand to stay and help the squad win the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Ferdinand is still devastated after being ruled out of the tournament with a freak knee injury, but wants to remain in South Africa and support England team in any way he can.

"Capello has spoken with Rio and will be delighted to have him around for as long as he wants to stay.

Rio is obviously very down at the moment but to have him around during the tournament would be great for team morale," News of the World quoted a team source, as saying.

Ferdinand damaged the cruciate ligament in his left knee during England's first training session in Rustenburg on Friday.

A hospital scan revealed the severity of the damage and the 31-year-old centre-half is likely to be out for six weeks.

He was examined again by England physio Gary Lewin at the team's Royal Bafokeng Sports Complex HQ yesterday and has been diagnosed with a level two cruciate ligament strain, the paper reports.

Scans sent back to Old Trafford by the England medical team show no tear, nor rupture and United bos Alex Ferguson is happy for Ferdinand to stay in South Africa. (ANI)