Rio Ferdinand has pledged his support to England's Euro 2012 campaign despite the controversy that has surrounded the Manchester United defender's continued absence from the squad.

Ferdinand's camp had reacted furiously to the former England captain again being overlooked following the enforced withdrawal of defender Gary Cahill, who suffered a fractured jaw during Saturday's Wembley defeat of Belgium.

Rather than call Ferdinand, 33, into the squad, England boss Roy Hodgson selected inexperienced
Liverpool defender Martin Kelly, prompting Jamie Moralee, Ferdinand's long-time friend and business partner, to accuse the new manager of 'a total lack of respect'.

Overlooked - again: Rio Ferdinand has not been called into the Euro 2012 squad despite injuries

Debate over the decision has been raging, but Ferdinand insisted he would be fully supportive of the team in Ukraine and Poland.

He Tweeted: 'Just so we dont get it twisted ere....i'll be in a pub somewhere supporting England this summer! Love the lads!'

For Hodgson, though, the issue will not just go away and he will face yet more questions at the first available opportunity after England arrive at their Krakow base on Wednesday.

On initially selecting the squad, the former Liverpool and West Brom boss dismissed Ferdinand's absence as being for 'footballing reasons'. However, many felt there were concerns about Ferdinand's ability to get along with John Terry in light of Terry's impending court case for alleged racist remarks to Ferdinand's brother Anton at Loftus Road in October. Terry denies the charge against him.

The decision to pick Kelly saw Ferdinand Tweeting 'what reasons???' before Moralee's damning verdict.

'Lampard, Terry, Barry, Gerrard; all ageing but they go to the tournament,' he said. 'Why is Rio different?

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