Ferdinand fitness improves

Rio Ferdinand hopes to be available for England's Euro 2008 qualifier in Croatia despite a back problem.

Ferdinand missed Saturday's goalless draw with Macedonia after suffering a spasm in a back muscle during training on Friday.

The Manchester United defender has reported a slight improvement in his condition on Sunday. Ferdinand, 27, will rejoin Steve McClaren and his squad and will be then assessed by the England medical team before a decision is taken on whether or not he can train on Monday.

McClaren's squad are scheduled to fly to Zagreb on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's game in the Maksimir Stadium.

Steven Gerrard will be missing through suspension. He will serve a one-match ban after collecting his second yellow card of the campaign against Macedonia.

Boss McClaren has decided not to call anyone else into the squad to replace Gerrard. Twenty-three players are expected to travel to Croatia if Ferdinand is passed fit.