London, England (My Sportsbook) - England defender Rio Ferdinand has allayed fears about his fitness and insists he is ready to star in next summer's World Cup finals in South Africa.

The Manchester United defender has featured in only two of England's last nine matches mainly because of a back problem but is set to feature in Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

The former West Ham United and Leeds United star said: "The last 12 months have been very frustrating. In that period I've had a few injuries.

"Before that I don't think I'd ever been out for more than two or three weeks.

"I'd had 10-12 years of being virtually injury-free so it's been difficult to adjust to having to sit on the sidelines every now and again.

"It's been quite frustrating, not just from the point of view of playing for England but from a personal point of view.

"Whether it's club or country, it's very disappointing to have to go and sit in the stands and watch the team when it's playing. Having said that, last season, I started 45 games and, at any other club, that's a lot of games.

"But United played something like 60 games - so to miss the games I did for United and England as well was a blow.

"Will I be 100 per cent fit for the World Cup? Definitely. That's what you work towards, that's what everyone works towards.

"You take it week by week and game by game and my ultimate aim is to be fit and remain fit.

"My back hasn't been a problem for me since last season and it's got a clean bill of health. I hurt my thigh just before the start of this season but there was no connection to the back."

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)