Brotherly love the Ferdinand way

Anton Ferdinand has scoffed at suggestions that his brother Rio is past it. Manchester United defender Rio has been widely criticised about his recent form after struggling to shake off persistent calf and back injuries, with many suggesting his best days are behind him. Not so says younger brother Anton. "I know my brother and he'll come back stronger than ever," says Anton. "People are doubting him for the World Cup - it's astonishing, he's been England's best player at the last two." The 24-year-old Anton, who plays for Sunderland, says his older sibling is being unfairly criticised for slipping from his own high standards. "This is the first time he's had a bad period since he left West Ham (in 2000) - for a player who has played so many big games to only have one bad patch in a 10-11 year period says something."