Raheem Sterling and James Ward-Prowse told to retire from England duty after ‘disrespectful’ Gareth Southgate snub

Rio Ferdinand says he’d retire from England duty if he received the same treatment Raheem Sterling and James Ward-Prowse have.

The duo have been left out of the Three Lions squad for the upcoming matches against Ukraine and Scotland.

Sterling has been snubbed by Southgate for a second straight international breakAFP

Ward-Prowse is another omission, despite a magnificent start at West HamGetty

Ward-Prowse, who left Southampton to join West Ham, has made a sublime start to the campaign, with a goal and three assists.

Sterling, meanwhile, has impressed for Chelsea, recently netting twice in his team’s 3-0 victory against Luton.

Both have been overlooked despite their blistering form, with Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips preferred despite their limited minutes on the pitch.

“If I was Sterling, I’d be very disappointed bearing in mind what he’s done for this England team when he’s been in or around it,” said Ferdinand, who featured 81 times for England, on his Vibe with Five podcast.

Ferdinand believes both should retire from England dutyGetty

“If you’re going by the yard stick that Gareth’s using with the likes of Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips.

“Why is it all right for them guys to get in and not him?

“Sterling’s probably been the main bright spark at Chelsea. It’s just nuts. I’d retire. If I’m someone like Ward-Prowse I’d just retire. Say, ‘Listen, don’t pick me no more. There’s no point. It’s disrespectful what you’re doing’.

“It is to people like him, especially Ward-Prowse who’s been putting up numbers for his team on a regular basis. What more does a man got to do to get a sniff?”

Maguire has been included despite a lack of game time at Man UnitedGetty

Phillips played 593 minutes for City last season and is another to have been called upGetty

Sterling has won 82 caps for the England, and played a key part in their path to the final of Euro 2020.

The 28-year-old also featured at the World Cup in Qatar last year which saw them exit at the quarter-final stage with a defeat to France.

Sterling is not expected to take the place of the injured Jack Grealish.

Ward-Prowse, on the other hand, has not featured for England since November 2022.

Listen to full commentary of Ukraine vs England on Saturday, live on talkSPORT, kick-off 5pm.