Former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has said that he does not believe Rio Ferdinand's reasons for withdrawing from the England squad.

The Manchester United defender pulled out of the squad citing issues over his training regime, but Dalglish believes there is more to it.

"I've heard all the stuff about the pre-planned fitness programme, but it doesn't sound right to me," Dalglish wrote in his column in The Mirror.

"The people at Manchester United who designed the programme knew there were two England dates coming up. They also knew that Rio had expressed his desire to play for his country time and time again.

"But it appears that they gave no consideration to the idea that Roy Hodgson might take Rio at his word and select him. Other players have specially tailored training regimes. I know that Steven Gerrard has one. But it doesn't stop him adapting it when he's on England duty."

The Three Lions beat San Marino 8-0 on Friday evening.