Steve McClaren was boosted today when Rio Ferdinand reported no overnight reaction to his injury problem but Ledley King has been ruled out.

Ferdinand trained yesterday for the first time since the back spasm which ruled him out of Saturday's 0-0 draw with Macedonia.

He will travel with the England squad to Croatia today and expect to be fit for tomorrow's Euro 2008 qualifier.

King came in at the back to replace him at Old Trafford but had to sit out training yesterday to rest his knee injury.

The Spurs skipper had knee surgery in the summer and the problem sometimes flares up after games, forcing him to rest it for a couple of days.

McClaren's side tackle Croatia - unbeaten at home in competitive games for 16 years - on Wednesday before visiting joint group leaders Israel in March followed by further away clashes with the lesser fancied Andorra and Estonia.

England were below par in the weekend goalless draw with Macedonia at Old Trafford and King knows they will have to improve considerably in Zagreb.  PA