World Cup time is right for England: Ferdinand

Defender Rio Ferdinand says it is time England delivered the goods in their campaign to lift the 2006 World Cup.

England's qualifying bid continues on Saturday against Northern Ireland at Old Trafford, where the Group Six leaders should move a step closer to the finals.

For Ferdinand, who missed their run to the Euro 2004 quarter-finals due to an eight-month suspension, England have what it takes to lift the game's biggest prize in Germany.

"As a team, it's time to fulfill our potential," he told reporters on Thursday.

"We've got players who have been to two or three tournaments and there are young players coming into the team who have got good experience with their clubs.

"We've got to put it in to practice now.

"We know we've got the individuals, but it's obvious that you don't win anything just with individuals. We've got to make sure we become a great collective team.

"Greece brought that home to everyone at Euro 2004.

"If you play as a team, if you're prepared and you set your stall out in the right way to suit your players, you've got as good a chance as anyone of winning the tournament."

With the likes of Manchester United team mate Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen up front, plus Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in central midfield, Ferdinand believes England have not been stronger since he started his international career back in 1997.

"I don't think a manager has had a better squad of players to pick from," he said. "If we can get the balance right, we've got a good chance of doing something with this team."

Despite the talent available in every department, Ferdinand is not fussy about how they grind out results.

"If I win the World Cup and we play rubbish in every game you won't be talking about us playing rubbish in 30 years' time -- you'll be talking about us having won," he said.

"Winning the World Cup or any tournament means too much to talk about team or individual performances. Results mean more than anything else."

GOOD RESULTS

Good results have not always been delivered at club level this season with United, despite Ferdinand being at the top of his game since returning from suspension.

United's only remaining chance of silverware is to successfully defend their FA Cup, having lost out on the three other fronts to Chelsea and AC Milan.

Despite the frustration, Ferdinand is just glad to be back in the game having been a spectator for most of last year after missing a routine drugs test.

"I want to win games and I want to win trophies," said the defender.

"We were out of the Carling Cup, out of the Champions League and we've been waiting all season for Chelsea to slip up -- which they haven't done -- to have a chance of winning the Premier League."

"In terms of winning things, it is disappointing to be where we are, especially to be out of the Champions League," he said.