Ferdinand set for Friday check-up

Rio Ferdinand's injured knee will be examined by Manchester United medical staff after England's flight back from their training camp at La Manga, Spain, was delayed.

There is no news yet but an assessment will now take place on Friday," a United spokesman said Thursday.

Ferdinand sustained the injury in Durban during last week's friendly win over South Africa. United are anxious to know just how serious is the damage to their 29 million pounds (46m dollars) centre-half.

And England will want to find out if Ferdinand is ready for Tuesday's friendly with Serbia-Montenegro and the Euro 2004 qualifier with Slovakia on June 11.

Following the unseemly tug-of-war between Everton and the Football Association (FA) over England striker Wayne Rooney, both sides will want to avoid another 'club v country' row over Ferdinand.

And that makes it likely that the FA will accept the United verdict on Ferdinand's fitness.