England's Ferdinand to miss Brazil and Estonia games

LONDON, May 29 (Reuters) Central defenders Rio Ferdinand and Michael Dawson will both miss England's friendly against Brazil and Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia due to groin injuries, manager Steve McClaren said today.

Manchester United's Ferdinand, who missed several club games with the problem at the end of the season, was a likely starter alongside John Terry in Friday's Brazil friendly at Wembley and the trip to Estonia next Wednesday. He is likely to be replaced by Liverpool's Jamie Carragher.

Dawson, who played for England B last week, was hoping to be among the substitutes and with Jonathan Woodgate absent after knee surgery, McClaren has only Tottenham's Ledley King and Manchester United's Wes Brown as cover for central defence.

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