England boss Fabio Capello is prepared to leave Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand at home for the World Cup.

The News of the World says Ferdinand's spot in Capello's 23-man squad to South Africa is under serious threat despite his position as England captain.

Ferdinand will have to prove he is physically capable of coping with a four-week tournament.

That will mean rigorous tests when the provisional squad convenes in just over a week's time and putting in committed performances in the friendlies against Mexico and Japan at the end of this month.