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By John Cross and James Eisen

Roy Hodgson has told fans on a London Tube train that Rio Ferdinand’s England career had reached “the end of the road”.

The England boss has since apologised to the Manchester United defender.

Hodgson opened up to commuters when asked whether he would include the Manchester United defender on Thursday, when he names his squad for World Cup qualifiers against San Marino next Friday and Poland four days later.

“I very much doubt it. He hasn’t played for England for quite a while,” revealed Hodgson.

(Image: James Eisen)

“I have to say it is over for him and England. It has got to be the end of the road. He is pushing 34 and hasn’t played for England for a long, long time.”

Ferdinand, capped 81 times, had not given up on an England recall.

And his hopes were raised anew after John Terry’s decision to quit international ­football.

But Hodgson appeared to put an end to that with his amazing confession, which happened on the London Underground’s Jubilee Line as he made his way to the Emirates stadium to watch Arsenal’s ­Champions League game against Olympiacos on Wednesday.

Ferdinand was left out of England’s Euro 2012 squad for what Hodgson called “football reasons” – rather than his brother Anton’s race case with Chelsea captain Terry.

(Image: Michael Regan)

Hodgson’s coach, Gary Neville, admitted earlier this week that England would not pick his former Old Trafford team-mate unless they thought Ferdinand would start games.

Hodgson also told fans on his way to the Emirates Stadium that he was keen to watch Arsenal’s young right-back Carl Jenkinson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott.

Of greater urgency is Hodgson’s need to solve a major defensive dilemma against San Marino and Poland.

Tottenham’s Steven Caulker has been selected for England’s Under-21s, which means Joleon Lescott, Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka are his only experienced defensive options.

Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross, in impressive form this season, could get a call-up for the double header.

Hodgson is also likely to recall Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon, who has not been capped since the 2010 World Cup.

(Image: Richard Heathcote)

Hodgson witnessed another impressive display by Lennon as Spurs ended their 23-year Old Trafford hoodoo on Saturday and he was name-checked by Neville.

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll, currently on loan at West Ham, has also been cleared for duty following his return from a month out with a hamstring injury.