Roy Hodgson
Roy Hodgson

Roy Hodgson handed an England scoop to fans on a Tube train by revealing Rio Ferdinand's international career is over.

Hodgson appeared to draw a line beneath the Manchester United defender's long association with England by declaring to startled commuters on the London Underground: "it has got to be the end of the road."

He made the confession on the Jubilee Line on his way to watch Arsenal in Champions League action against Olympiacos at the Emirates Stadium.

Commuters asked him if he intended to select Ferdinand for upcoming World Cup qualifying games against San Marino and Poland, next Friday and four days after that.

"I very much doubt it. He hasn't played for England for quite a while," Hodgson reportedly said.

"I have to say it is over for him and England. It has got to be the end of the road. He is pushing 34 and hasn't played for England for a long, long time."

Ferdinand played 81 times for England. He is a prolific user of Twitter, but has yet to post a reaction on the micro-blogging site.