Rio Ferdinand needs to make peace with Ashley Cole, says Hodgson

15 Mar 2013 2:30:00 AM

The England boss wants the pair to be professional as they are paired together for the first time since the racism saga involving Anton Ferdinand and John Terry

England manager Roy Hodgson has urged Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole to act professionally in the Three Lions squad for next week's qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.

The pair reportedly fell out after Cole's Chelsea team-mate John Terry was charged with racially abusing Ferdinand’s brother, Anton, during a match. Cole defended Terry in court, with the Manchester United man courting controversy for tweeting comments about the left-back.

But Hodgson has urged the pair to put their differences aside for the good of the national team when they get together.

“I know Ashley and Rio were very good friends," Hodgson told reporters.

“We’re talking about England as a football team, not purely individuals, and I expect the pair of them to do their job with England.

“I don’t expect any problems. If there are any I’ll have to deal with them but I’m rather hoping the long-term friendship can re-emerge and the unfortunate incident along the way can be forgotten.

“I’d be unhappy if there were tensions between players in a group.

“But we’re talking about two very experienced professional players here, and we are talking about the England football team.”