ROVERS: Rio the hero has world at his feet

SHADES of '66 - when next summer's World Cup finals come around, expect at least one young man from the Upton Park academy to play a prominent role for England.

Teenager Rio Ferdinand is already being confidently tipped to follow in the footsteps of cultured West Ham trio Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters, who were the backbone of Alf Ramsey's wingless wonders when we last ruled the world.

And, despite his tender years, such is the talent of the young Eastender that a good Premiership season could see him as an integral part of Glenn Hoddle's starting 11.

Unlike Peters, described by Sir Alf as "10 years ahead of his time", Ferdinand is a man for the present as well as the future.

Already, he is starting to outshine potential England rivals for one of the three prime positions in the centre of defence.

He certainly impressed Ewood fans, when Blackburn Rovers took on West Ham last season - scoring a goal after going on as an attacking substitute.

But it is in defence where Ferdinand will find fame and fortune and could prove a real stumbling block to Rovers' hopes tomorrow.

Learning quickly alongside ex-Rover Ian Pearce and former Everton centre back David Unsworth for West Ham, the starlet made his England bow before he had even accumulated 50 League appearances.

He has also shown the character to bounce back from a drink-driving incident which might have sent a less mature young man into sporting decline.

Ferdinand held up his hand for a blot on an otherwise impressive CV and underlined that he possesses a crucial asset - the ability to listen and learn. West Ham boss Harry Redknapp has been an important guiding light but the real inspiration seems to stem from England coach Glenn Hoddle.

Ferdinand revealed his fears after the drink-driving problem and stressed his debt to Hoddle.

"Of course I was worried when I was dropped after the incident," he said.

"But Glenn re-assured me it wouldn't affect me in the future if I was playing well, behaving and doing the right things on the pitch.

"I am really pleased he has shown faith in me and given me that other chance.

"Glenn fills his players with a lot of confidence and if you're doing things right he will tell you and, obviously, if it's the other way round he'll do the same - he's an honest person.

"When he does give you advice it must go in one ear and not come out of the other.

"His advice has been great, he's made me think about my game and you think when you leave England that you must go back to your club and work on things."

Redknapp believes that money could not buy his most prized asset.

"You couldn't put a price on him," said the West Ham boss.

"And I wouldn't put a price on him. He is the player everyone wants in their team, so how can you put a value on him?

"I've always felt he can become a real star. At just 19 to be playing like he does week in, week out in the Premier League against the best centre forwards in the country is quite something.

"He makes the game look easy. He is definitely a future captain for club and country."

Immense praise but there are no signs of the inflated ego which sometimes results from such compliments.

"It's flattering to hear nice things said about you, I read the papers like everyone else but I don't take it all in," he said. "It's nice for folk to compliment you all the time but if it went to my head it would lead to my downfall.

"I just go out and play my own game."

That game is clearly good enough as, according to our Carling Opta rankings, Ferdinand's performance against Cameroon on his England bow was almost faultless. He did not misplace a single pass or lose a tackle in his 53 minutes on the pitch.

His ability in the air is also outstanding, clearing almost everything which enters the West Ham box. His total of 188 clearances for the Hammers is the fifth highest in the Premiership. What makes him special is that he combines such aerial dominance with other skills. When he strides out of defence he is almost unstoppable, having made 38 runs from his own half, losing the ball just three times.

Ferdinand isn't the only young Hammer who will be aiming to shine at Ewood tomorrow. For team-mate Frank Lampard has also burst through the junior ranks and aims to follow his pal into the England set-up.

Redknapp sees the two as a pair, saying: "When people spoke to me about Rio last year, I never mentioned him without mentioning Frank as well. I knew the pair of them were going to be good players - there was never any doubt."

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