The 34-year-old Red Devils defender, who won 81 England caps, has not featured for the Three Lions since a Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland in June 2011.

Ferdinand was recalled to the England squad by Roy Hodgson for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro but the defender pulled out due to a “pre-planned fitness programme”.

“After a great deal of thought, I have decided the time is right for me to retire from international football,” Ferdinand said.

“At the age of 34, I feel it is right for me to stand aside and let the younger players come through, which allows me to concentrate on my club career.

“The team looks in great shape and there is an influx of young, talented players coming through the ranks which bodes well for the future.”

He added: “I regard it as a great honour and a privilege to have represented my country at every level from under-17s upwards.

“I have always been very proud to play for England.

“I would like to wish Roy and the team all the best for future tournaments.

“A big thank you to all the fans, managers, coaching staff and players that I have worked alongside – the journey has been incredible.”

Ferdinand has been part of England’s squad at four World Cups and one European championship during a 16-year international career.

Hodgson controversially omitted Ferdinand from England’s 23-man travelling party for Euro 2012, with the Three Lions boss insisting it was a “footballing decision”.

Hodgson added: “To have captained his country, and to play at three World Cups, marks him out among a very special group of players.”

England manager Roy Hodgson has warned clubs and players that they should not use international fixtures as an excuse to undertake mid-season breaks.

Last month, Rio Ferdinand shunned a return to the Three Lions fold on account of his fitness schedule yet flew to Qatar to be a pundit on Al Jazeera for his country’s 8-0 hammering of San Marino.

And speaking at SoccerEx’s European forum in Manchester, Hodgson insists the window for national side fixtures should not be abused.

He said: “One thing that bothers me slightly when you’re a club manager, even at West Brom or Fulham, you still lose players on international breaks.

“Club football needs international football. It’s a great pity that we’re suggesting that international football should be relegated to lesser stage because clubs have championships or Champions League.

“These breaks are being seen as the 10-day break you don’t always get during the season. It concerns me that we are guilty of accepting it’s the international break so we can give the player 10 days off or go to Dubai.

“I would still like to see the international break being a time when players go to play for their international teams. Uefa are going to put an end to the friendly debate by making sure they’re played within these international dates.

“If you’re a club manager now you’ve got no excuse. You can quite easily plan your time around these blocks. If your players need a rest, it’s not obligatory that it has to be during the international break. It can be done during the other 40-odd weeks of the year.”

Hodgson also lamented the inconvenience of post-season friendlies will bring to the international schedule.

Manchester City and Chelsea this week announced their plans to face each other in back-to-back matches in the United States at the end of May, which will hamper preparations for the Three Lions’ own friendlies.

The Football Association had brought forward their games with the Republic of Ireland and Brazil in a bid to provide earlier rest periods players ahead of the forthcoming campaign.

“We’ve been a bit unlucky because we decided the official dates when we get access to players is not until the middle of June and that wouldn’t suit clubs very well so we decided to put in friendlies as soon as possible,” he added.

“We didn’t factor in that some clubs had planned post-season tours, which are quite a new thing.”

Sir Bobby Charlton has warned that the Premier League’s foreign invasion has put paid to any hopes of England ever winning another major trophy.

The former Manchester United attacker was part of the Three Lions’ legendary side that won the World Cup in 1966, which remains a solitary piece of silverware in 150 years’ existence.

And speaking at SoccerEx’s European forum in Manchester, Charlton believes that any hope of England scaling the heights of that triumph 47 years ago is a ‘fool’s errand’.

He said: “Most of you here will be wondering when we are going to win it [the World Cup] again. I worry about that as well.

“People respect the English game and the footballers who play the English game, but I worry a bit. Every time a newspaper asks me if England can win the World Cup, I feel obliged to say they have a chance.

“But it’s a fool’s errand. We need good players and if all the spaces in the English game are taken by foreign players, we don’t have a chance.

“I’m not saying that’s not fair, but it’s hard to see us winning a World Cup when you see that quality [of foreign players].

“Spain are the team to beat for me.”

The visitors took an 11th-minute lead when Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark was dispossessed by Zlatko Junuzovic and teed up Martin Harnik, who clinically finish past David Forde.

However, Jonathan Walters levelled from the spot after Shane Long had been fouled in Austria’s area before the Stoke City striker headed the home side into the lead in first-half stoppage time.

Ireland were on the brink of moving into second place in Group C ahead of Austria and Sweden before Bayern Munich midfielder David Alaba netted an equaliser in the 91st minute.

“There is a long way to go and we have the same possibility we had. This team can grow more in confidence and personality,” Trapattoni told RTE.

“Obviously, I am not satisfied with this draw, but I have got to accept that we were missing a bit of experience.

“But we hit the post through Shane Long and the [last] goal was a deflection, so I can say we have been a little bit unlucky – a little bit, but not much.”

Ireland are now in fourth place but level on points with Sweden, who occupy the play-off spot, and Trapattoni dismissed resignation talk after the result.

“Why [would I resign]? We are the same in the table. It has not changed.”

Wayne Rooney gave England a sixth-minute leader with a powerful header before Danny Welbeck was denied a penalty in the latter stages of the first-half.

The hosts were much improved after the interval, and Dejan Damjanovic finally netted a leveller in the 77th minute following a string of top saves by goalkeeper Joe Hart.

It means Montenegro remain two points clear of England, but Hodgson is confident the Three Lions are still in the driving seat in Group H.

“It is still in our own hands,” said Hodgson.

“We still have to play Montenegro at home, Poland at home and Ukraine away.

“You are bringing it back to the result against Ukraine at home, when we wanted to win but we drew.

“I suppose you could say Ukraine away will be crucial, but we still have three of our four games at home, so we will try to make certain we keep it in our hands by winning those matches.”

Hodgson also rued England’s inability to score a second goal in the opening period, and in particular, the referee’s failure to award a spot-kick for a foul on Welbeck.

“I have not seen a replay but don’t think Danny would have wanted to go down in that situation,” added Hodgson.

“We had several chances in the first half when we got behind their defence but it didn’t quite come off for us.”

England were denied a crucial away win by Dejan Damjanovic’s second-half equaliser which rescued a 1-1 draw for Group H leaders Montenegro in Podgorica.

Elsewhere, the Republic of Ireland conceded a late leveller to slump to a 2-2 stalemate with Austria, while Scotland and Wales were beaten by Serbia and Croatia respectively.

Here is the best of the Twitter reaction from the professionals, past and present, in chronological order to a disappointing night for the home nations.

Injured Jack Wilshere (‏@JackWilshere) wishes his team-mates the all the best: “Good luck tonight lads. Come on #England!”

Former Coventry striker Darren Huckerby ‏(@hucks6dh6) is impressed by Rooney’s chipped effort: “That was nearly magical from Rooney!”

Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier (‏@mattletiss7) agrees with Huckerby: “Great vision by Rooney so unlucky.”

England legend Gary Lineker (‏@GaryLineker) is glad to see Roy Hodgson’s men rewarded for a bright start: “Get in Rooney. Terrific start rewarded with a goal.”

Stoke City forward Michael Owen (‏@themichaelowen) reckons Rooney is in the zone: “What a start. Rooney brimming with confidence.”

Former Sunderland star Michael Gray ‏(@mickygray33) wonders whether Rooney can beat Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 49 strikes: “Wayne Rooney now has 35 goals for England…, Can he overhaul Sir Bobby Charlton as England’s all time goal scorer? #England”

Ireland mifielder David Meyler (‏@DavidMeyler) is thrilled to see his country overturn an early goal to lead 2-1: “Great goal again just before half-time. Long and Walters chasing havoc! #COYBIG”

Ex-Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris (‏@morriskid) reckons Danny Welbeck should have had a spot-kick – not a booking: “Penalty all day..clipped his heel..intentional or not that’s a pen..joke yellow card!!!”

Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore ‏(@StanCollymore) gives Hodgson some tactical advice: “Hub of England midfield is too deep, too reactive. Carrick, Gerrard anchored almost on our 18 yard box. Milner or Cleverley off, Parker on?”

Ex-Crystal Palace forward Mark Bright ‏(@Mark__Bright) can’t believe how soft Montenegro’s equaliser was: “For crying out loud England, that’s bread and butter stuff, we deal with week in week out, a simple cross, Hodgson too slow to change the team.”

West Brom midfielder Steven Reid (‏@stevenreid12) is gutted to see Ireland concede a late leveller: “Disaster #Ireland 2-2 last minute equaliser!!”

England legend Peter Reid (‏@reid6peter) reckons this Three Lions side isn’t that great: “Average that England.”

Marseille midfielder Joseph Barton (‏@Joey7Barton) didn’t even bother watching England: “Watched France who played well, unlucky not to get something. Pogba sending off harsh. Bored of Team England…”

Finally, former Ireland midfielder Kevin Kilbane ‏(@kdkilbane77) felt the Men in Green deserved more from the game: “Alba was superb for Austria tonight. Really disappointing to concede so late. Shane Long very good for Ireland.”

Much of the pre-match debate focused on Wayne Rooney’s England disciplinary record after his red card on his last visit to Podgorica, when the Manchester United striker was sent off after kicking out at Miodrag Dzudovic in a 2-2 draw in the Montenegrin capital in November 2011. But the 27-year-old switched the attention back to his footballing ability – and not his hotheaded nature – with a dynamic performance against the Group H leaders on Tuesday. The Red Devils forward had the air of a man with a point to prove from the off. In the second minute, he collected possession in midfield before striding forward unchallenged and lifting a chipped attempt over Montenegro goalkeeper Mladen Bozovic, with the woodwork coming to the rescue of the self-professed Chelsea supporter. Throughout the World Cup qualifier, Rooney was found lurking around the home side’s area, swapping short passes with club team-mates Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck, particularly in the first half. And it was no surprise to see the striker break the deadlock in the sixth minute, guiding an unmarked header past Bozovic from a Steven Gerrard corner. In doing so, Rooney became the first player to score in four successive qualifying matches since David Beckham in 2003.

Jovetic puts on second-half show for Premier League suitors

Stevan Jovetic would have eyed Montenegro’s clash against England as a chance to impress potential suitors in the Premier League. The Fiorentina midfielder has been linked with a move to Arsenal and Manchester City in recent months after scoring 12 goals in 27 appearances this season. While Jovetic may be scoring freely for La Viola in Serie A, he has struggled on the international scene, with the 23-year-old unable to find the net in 18 months. With Michael Carrick and Gerrard sitting deep, there was little space for Jovetic to exploit in front of Joe Hart’s area as he was limited to just one ambitious effort in the first half. However, Dejan Damjanovic’s introduction at half-time pushed Jovetic to the left side of Montenegro’s midfield, and it was a tactical move which produced results. The playmaker started to grow into the game and was unfortunate to steer a free header the wrong side of Hart’s post in the 49th minute. When a rare England excursion into the Montenegro half broke down, Jovetic led the charge towards an exposed Three Lions goal, outnumbering their opponents 3-2, but failed to produce an incisive pass for captain Mirko Vucinic. While he could be accused of lacking composure at crucial moments, the Fiorentina star did showcase his eye for the spectacular with a superb run which led to an opening for Vucinic, before unleashing a rasping half volley and drawing a smart save from Hart.

Hodgson needs to settle on centre-half pairing

While England’s full-backs Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson are among the first names on Hodgson’s team sheet, there continues to be uncertainty at the heart of his defence. For the best part of a decade, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry have been a dependable partnership, but since the 2010 World Cup, it’s been a problem position for the Three Lions. Hodgson has alternated between using Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka alongside Joleon Lescott but none are world-class names who hold the same aura as former England centre-halves such as Tony Adams, Sol Campbell, Ferdinand or Terry. Lescott has struggled to hold down a first-team place at City this season and looked off the pace, particularly when he misjudged a Montenegro pass and allowed Vucinic to rescue possession and test Hart. Failing to learn from his mistake, the City defender was almost caught out in an identical situation minutes later but switched on just in time. Stronger opponent’s wouldn’t be so merciful. Lescott was partnered with United youngster Chris Smalling, who is still learning the ropes on the international scene, and can’t be faulted for a steady display. Hodgson, whether he privately wants to or not, may need to turn to Ferdinand despite the centre-half’s recent withdrawal if he is to add much-needed international experience at centre-half. The United defender’s presence certainly could have prevented Damjanovic’s simple leveller in the 76th minute.

England must learn Euro 2012 lessons for Brazil

Having dominated the opening period, Hodgson will be frustrated to have squandered three points and a chance to move a point clear of Montenegro at the top of Group H after the visitors were punished for a tame second-half display. Damjanovic’s equaliser came from a free header, similar to Rooney’s opener, and the Three Lions can have no complaints after struggling to match Montenegro after the break. In fact, Hodgson’s men looked very much like the England side which struggled to keep possession in the latter stages of matches at Euro 2012. Hodgson deserves credit for trusting in up-and-coming Three Lions stars such as Cleverley and Welbeck, but he shouldn’t be afraid to turn to experienced veterans when the circumstances require a calm head to see out a crucial result. The England boss opted against bringing on Frank Lampard with his side toiling. He instead opted for the unpredictable Ashley Young, which was a bizarre decision considering Montenegro’s continued dominance. Despite allowing three points to slip out of their grasp, it is far from a disastrous result for the visitors, who are yet to take on the Group H leaders at Wembley. If England can win that crunch clash, their place in Brazil would almost be assured.

Steven Gerrard says he is ignoring Montenegro’s pre-match mind games ahead of England’s World Cup qualifier in Podgorica on Tuesday night.

Montenegro manager Branko Brnovic suggested the Three Lions are “scared” ahead of the crunch tie after the visitors questioned the state of the hosts’ pitch.

However, Gerrard believes Brnovic’s jibes prove Montenegro are nervous, knowing an England victory would send Roy Hodgson’s men to the top of Group H.

“Talking doesn’t win you football matches,” Gerrard said. “I’m not really too interested in what they’ve got to say in their press conference. Or in ours, to be honest.

“I’m more interested in how the lads play in on Tuesday when the first whistle goes.

“It just shows we’ve got them exactly where we want them.”

England manager Hodgson also played down any concerns over Wayne Rooney’s disciplinary record for the national side.

The Manchester United forward was sent off in a 2-2 draw in England’s last trip to Podgorica, but the Three Lions boss does not envisage any similar problems on Tuesday.

“I trust he will go out and play like Wayne Rooney,” he said.

“But you are talking about something which is very much in the realms of psychology and it is impossible to give an honest answer to those kinds of questions.”

Wayne Rooney was sent off the last time he played Montenegro – but the Tipster is backing the Manchester United striker to banish those Podgorica memories by scoring first on Tuesday night.

Our resident betting expert is predicting an England win in the Montenegrin capital, with the Three Lions to score at least three goals his outside bet.

Also in this edition, find out why you should back both the Republic of Ireland and Austria to score in a draw at the Aviva Stadium in Group C.

Free bet offer: Open an account at bet365 with £10 or more and you’ll get a free bet of up to £200 on us! Click here for more information.

Rooney to score first for England v Montenegro – 15/4

Rooney will be looking to make amends for putting England’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign in jeopardy on his last visit to the Montenegrin capital, when he was sent off for a petulant kick. The Tipster expects Rooney to have a key role to play on Tuesday night. The Manchester United striker is in good form, having scored a free-kick and played an instrumental role in almost every goal in Friday’s 8-0 win in San Marino. So The Tipster’s opening punt is Rooney to score first in Podgorica at tempting odds of 15/4.
Bet365 odds

England to beat Montenegro – 4/5

This is a crunch Group H meeting; England are on 11 points heading into this clash against Montenegro, who have 13 points from their opening five games. Both these teams are well clear of third-placed Ukraine, so the game will go some way to determining who will finish top of the group. Having looked through the Montenegro team, there isn’t that much for England to fear. Stefan Savic was very poor for Manchester City last season, and while their front-men will need to be monitored, there is a lack of top-level quality. So The Tipster fancies England to win at 4/5.
Bet365 odds

Both teams to score in Ireland v Austria – 10/11

With Giovanni Trapattoni’s negative tactics since taking charge of Ireland – which have brought about moderately successful results – the Tipster is swimming against the tide with this bet. The way the group is shaping up, this is really a game Ireland need to win, with both sides level on points. It is an opportunity to move into pole position to secure second spot and it should be a more open affair as a result. And both teams to score at 10/11 looks like a bet to get involved with.
Bet365 odds

Ireland and Austria to draw – 9/4

Both teams have the same record in the group (W2 D1 L1) and both of their defeats came against the Germans. However, the Austrians are far better placed in the group as a result of their goal difference of +9, as opposed to Ireland’s -1. But Austria have failed to win a game against a side in the Fifa top 100 since 2008, with Marcel Koller’s side yet to really be tested in qualifying. So The Tipster reckons that with identical group records, a draw looks on the cards, priced at 9/4.
Bet365 odds

The long shot: England to score over 2.5 goals – 10/3

The Tipster likes this price bearing in mind Hodgson’s side are fresh from securing their biggest victory in 26 years on Friday night. England’s only other visit to Montengero yielded two goals – and it could have been more but for Rooney’s red card. England have a good record in this part of Europe, having scored four against Croatia and three against Albania in recent years. So The Tipster’s long shot is England to score at least three goals against Montenegro at 10/3.
Bet365 odds

Joleon Lescott has played down concerns over Wayne Rooney’s disciplinary record ahead of England’s crunch clash against Montenegro on Tuesday night.

Roy Hodgson’s men travel to Podgorica looking to move ahead of the Group H leaders after a 8-0 victory over San Marino in their World Cup qualifier on Friday night.

Rooney was sent off in a 2-2 draw when England last visited the Montenegrin capital in November 2011 during their qualifying campaign for European championship.

However, Lescott is sure that the Three Lions will do a disciplined and professional job against their group rivals.

“Wayne is older now. He is more experienced and mature,” said Lescott. “We all are. I don’t think there will be a problem.

“We want to be disciplined and professional. With the calibre of players in this squad, I don’t think it will be a problem.”

Lescott says confidence is high amongst Hodgson’s squad following their emphatic win against San Marino.

“They [Montenegro] are very organised. They are tough to break down, but we are confident,” he added.

“Winning breeds confidence. No disrespect to San Marino but we played well against them and we will hope to do the same on Tuesday. When we came away our aim was six points and that is still our main focus. Ukraine beating Poland on Friday night was a good result for us.

“If we win on Tuesday that would give us a good run into the second half of the qualifying campaign.”