London, Dec. 26 (ANI): Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has said that the seriousness of England defender Rio Ferdinand’s back injury could end his chances of playing in next year’s FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The Sun quoted Ferguson as saying that Ferdinand’s injury is showing no signs of improvement, despite a two-month lay-off.

He said: “There’s no light there. It’s difficult to put a time line on it. Anyone who has a back injury or a sore back knows what I’m talking about. It is a difficult thing.”

Though the central defender is currently doing a bit of gym work and having injections, Ferguson has said that he has done nothing for a week, and “we’re hoping that the pain goes away.”

The player knows he will need to prove to England coach Fabio Capello that he is fit enough and strong enough to go with England to the World Cup in South Africa in the summer.(ANI)