Position: Defender
Born: 11.07.78
Club: Manchester United

Rio Ferdinand has encountered more ups and downs since the last World Cup than most players meet in their entire careers.

At Japan/Korea 2002, he was undoubtedly one of England's best players but since then, his star has waned - though one feels it could soon burn bright again.

Within a few weeks of England's exit in Shizuoka, Ferdinand became the world's most expensive defender, moving from Leeds to Manchester United for £30million. He had a Premiership champions' medal at the end of his first season, and was looking to improve on his personal form in the next campaign when disaster struck.

Ferdinand notoriously missed a routine drugs test in September 2003 and was banned for eight months by the FA. When he next appeared in an England shirt - in the 2-0 home win over Wales in October of the following year - he had missed almost 14 months of international football.

To his credit, Ferdinand had clearly kept his focus on football during his long absence and settled back in quickly, but his laid-back style still catches him out. England's 1-0 defeat in Northern Ireland was a case in point, with Ferdinand subsequently dropped by Sven-Goran Eriksson.

However, an injury to centre-back rival Sol Campbell during the next qualifier against Austria meant a quick reprieve and Ferdinand avoided any further mistakes.

Complacency must be his watchword, for there are few faults in his game. His blend of organisational skills, vision and poise on the ball marks him apart in the England defence. Fortunately, the intensity of the tournament and competition for places will keep the pressure on Ferdinand in Germany - conditions in which he should thrive.