Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has handed England boss Fabio Capello a new headache.

The Daily Mail says Ferdinand's miserable season is causing Capello even greater concern after the defender missed Manchester United's win over West Ham on Tuesday night with a recurrence of his back problem.

Ferdinand has missed a huge chunk of the season with a chronic lower back injury but was expected to play in a game that United won 3-0 at Old Trafford to move within a point of Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

However, it appears the 31-year-old will miss Sunday's Carling Cup final against Aston Villa and, more importantly for Capello, next Wednesday's England friendly against Egypt at Wembley.

Ferdinand has only played in successive games twice this season, while his longest run is three matches in a row - hardly the ideal preparation for a World Cup that could entail seven games.