Manchester United legend Bryan Robson is upset for Rio Ferdinand after he was ruled out of the World Cup following a knee injury suffered in England training yesterday.

Two of Robson's three World Cup campaigns were curtailed by injury and now Reds defender Rio Ferdinand is set to miss the 2010 tournament after damaging his knee during Friday's training session.

"To miss the World Cup when you've built yourself up for it all year is a massive disappointment," Robson told Sky Sports News. "I think Rio has been a little concerned about his back. He'd had problems with it in the early part of the season but he was relieved to have got over that. He was going into this World Cup fully fit. So to go into a tackle in training and damage your knee is a big blow for the lad, and for England.

"But injuries happen in football. It's unfortunate for Rio but now Michael Dawson, Ledley King and Matthew Upson get their chance.

"I think England can still win the World Cup. There's enough strength in that centre-half position to cope with Rio's loss. Obviously we'd have loved to have had him because he's a world-class player but I have a feeling Ledley King can do a tremendous job for England."