Rio backs Wayne to bridge the Cole gap

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Bridge has played just seven minutes of Premier League football for Chelsea this season due to the form of Cole, with his only starts coming against Portsmouth in the Carling Cup and Cluj in the Champions League.

Yet Bridge is in line to earn his 31st cap because Cole the victim of a stream of abuse from fans during Saturday's win over Kazakhstan at Wembley is out with a hamstring problem picked up in that game.

Ferdinand admits he is a big admirer of the 28-year-old defender's ability and is convinced he won't let anyone down should he be picked for tonight's clash.

Ferdinand said: "I would have no hesitation in seeing Wayne play in Ashley's absence. We all know he is a very very good player. When he comes in to play for Chelsea he always does very well. We expect him to do the same in an England shirt."

Coach Fabio Capello is also unconcerned by Bridge's lack of match practice and believes he is going into the game in great shape.

The Italian said: "He played the last game I saw in the Champions League and was fit 15 days ago. I think he's fitter now. I've seen that in training."

Ferdinand is determined to lead by example as he wears the captain's armband again in the absence of Chelsea defender John Terry who stayed behind in London due to a back problem.

There are concerns that England could be vulnerable at the back without two of their most experienced defenders, but Ferdinand added: "The lads in the squad that we have here are capable players.

"We see people do it week in week out for their clubs, and now the opportunities are coming for them to produce it for their country. The lads will be confident they can produce.

"The senior players, like myself, need to step up and lead from the front and put in a good display.

"A draw would be a decent result but we want to win, we want to make the best start to qualifying this country has had in 30 years. That is something there for us to achieve and we want to do that."

Capello last night called up Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart and Middlesbrough central defender David Wheater from the Under-21 squad as cover.