RIO FERDINAND would be open to a return to the England set-up, though the Manchester United defender has yet to hear from Roy Hodgson as to whether he will be under consideration now that John Terry has quit international football.

The Chelsea centre-half came face to face with Anton Ferdinand again yesterday as the disciplinary hearing over allegations that he racially abused the Queens Park Rangers defender began at Wembley Stadium.

Terry had opted to withdraw from England contention on the eve of the hearing – which is expected to stretch into the latter part of the week – a decision which has potentially left the door open for Rio Ferdinand to return to the fold having not featured at that level since the summer of 2011.

The United player has never indicated a desire to curtail his 81-cap international career despite being officially overlooked by Hodgson for “football reasons” ahead of Euro 2012 amid worries that he and Terry could not share a dressing room.

The England management denied that was a concern, though Terry at the time was yet to appear before Westminster magistrates’ court to face a charge of a racially aggravated public order offence. The 31-year-old was found not guilty in July, with the Football Association having since pursued its own case against him.

Hodgson has admitted he only “reluctantly” accepted Terry’s decision on Sunday and is thought to retain some faint hope that the central defender can be coaxed back into the fold at some stage, particularly if he is found not guilty by an FA independent disciplinary commission.

The England manager names his squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland at the end of next week with Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott and Gary Cahill his only fit recognised centre-backs, leaving Ferdinand, who impressed in front of Hodgson as United won at Liverpool on Sunday, also a potential candidate.

The 33-year-old is keeping his counsel with regard to returning to the fold and would hope Hodgson moves to open a dialogue with him if he is to feature again for the first time in 16 months. It remains to be seen whether he would share a dressing room with Ashley Cole, who gave evidence on Terry’s behalf at the criminal proceedings over the summer and whose hand Ferdinand is not expected to shake when Chelsea play United next month.

By then the results of the FA’s disciplinary proceedings will be known. Terry’s council, George Carter-Stephenson QC, arrived at Wembley at around 7.30am with the Chelsea centre-half in attendance well before the independent four-man disciplinary panel opened proceedings at 10am.

The prosecution outlined its case, with Anton Ferdinand duly giving evidence. Also present was the Chelsea chairman, Bruce Buck, as a show of support for his player. Ferdinand departed at lunchtime, with Terry, who left at around 3pm, expected to return to the stadium today as the defence makes its case to the commission.

It will be submitting evidence heard at the criminal proceedings, including the testimony of support from Cole.

Terry, who would expect to receive a four-match ban if found guilty, denies the charge of using racist language during Chelsea’s defeat at QPR on October 23rd last year. The 31-year-old is understood to have spoken at length to members of the Chelsea squad and hierarchy, including the medical staff, before confirming his intention to retire from international football.

His contribution drew praise from Hodgson yesterday. “I’d like to thank John Terry for his commitment to the England team since I became manager,” he said. “I am of course disappointed to lose a player of John’s international experience and exceptional ability.

“I have enjoyed a good relationship with John during my time as England manager and I reluctantly accept his decision.”

Meanwhile, former Chelsea manager Avram Grant has criticised the FA for taking the action against Terry. He told BBC Radio Five: “Nobody thinks that John Terry is a racist so the FA need to leave it.

“John likes to fight and he’s very passionate about the national team so I was surprised. But he’s not a child. He knows what he’s doing. One thing I must say about JT is that he’s not a racist – that’s for sure. He’s a good man.”

Guardian Service