Ferdinand was called up for the World Cup qualifiers after having been previously dropped in place of John Terry, who was inferior in both footballing and moral terms to the Manchester United player, igniting the centre back's anger.

"It is a concern, yes," Hodgson said. "But I can't do more than I am now, giving him the chance to come back, asking him to come back, making it clear I would like to use him. I can't do more than that.

"If he has a grievance and does hold it against me because I haven't selected him previously, there is not much I can do about that."