Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has admitted that being dropped for the World Cup qualifying match against Austria in October by England head coach Sven Goran Eriksson was his "Wake-up call".

Ferdinand was dropped by Eriksson in favour of Arsenal's Sol Campbell and Chelsea captain John Terry in central defence for the qualifier against Austria at Old Trafford, and that has made the former West Ham star even more determined to claim his place back in the Three Lions squad.

Ferdinand said: "The manager said, 'I am not going to play you against Austria' and being told something like that is devastating."

Ferdinand was suspended for the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal, after failing to attend a drugs test at the United training ground, and is now determined to make his mark in Germany for England.

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