Former England skipper Rio Ferdinand has defended Raheem Sterling's request to "sit out" England's 1-0 win over Estonia on Sunday because of fatigue, reports BBC Sport. Sterling was used as a substitute in the Euro 2016 Group E qualifier after the 19 year old told boss Roy Hodgson he was tired.
Ferdinand said on Twitter: "Fair play to him. English players are normally too proud to do that unlike our foreign friends."
Ferdinand said he and other England players, like Rooney and Steven Gerrard, would have benefited from more rest and pointed to his former Manchester United team-mate Carolos Tevez, who would not take part in training when tired.
The former defender added on Twitter: "Tevez would come in some days and sit on the massage bed while the team trained. "I'm tired"... match day - firing and energised.
"With more rest at the right times throughout seasons, Rooney would have gone into tournaments for England fresher 100%. Too proud again.
"Same could be said of Gerrard, [Frank] Lampard, John Terry, Ashley Cole myself etc - all too proud to sit out of training or a match with the bigger picture in mind.
"Going by many of the responses on here - because players earn a fortune they cannot get tired. Leave off!"
