Rio Ferdinand set to miss England tie against Wales

Ferdinand's last game for Man Utd was against Aston Villa on 1 February

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson does not expect Rio Ferdinand to be fit for England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales on 26 March.

The 32-year-old defender is sidelined with a calf injury picked up ahead of United's loss at Wolves on 5 February.

"Rio has been doing a bit of running. He will be ready for the game after the internationals," said Ferguson.

"I wouldn't have thought he would have a chance before that. I don't think it would be wise for him to be called up."

England skipper Ferdinand's expected absence for the game against Wales at the Millennium Stadium is set to reopen the debate of who should take over the captaincy.

Vice-captain Steve Gerrard is already out of the game after undergoing groin surgery which is set to rule the Liverpool midfielder out for a month.

The duo were also missing for England's last game when they beat Denmark 2-1 and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard was handed the armband for the match in Copenhagen by manager Fabio Capello.

Lampard's half-time substitution resulted in his club team-mate Ashley Cole taking over the captaincy before the left-back passed it over to Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry when he came off late in the game.

Chelsea centre-back and former England captain John Terry played the whole match against the Danes and, although he had to watch on as the captaincy was shared around, there is speculation Capello wants to make him the skipper again.

Terry was stripped of the armband in February 2010 after allegations surrounding his personal life.