Ferdinand sustained the injury during United's 2-1 Premiership win at Watford on Saturday and will undergo scans over the weekend to determine the exact nature of the problem.

England coach Steve McClaren had been set to pair Ferdinand with John Terry at the heart of his team's back four when they open their qualifying campaign against Andorra at Old Trafford next Saturday.

But United manager Sir Alex Ferguson told MUTV: "We think Rio might have a broken toe, so I don't think he will be joining up with England."