I have been below par - Ferdinand

Eriksson aims to make amends Injured Cole out of squad

England defender Rio Ferdinand admits his form this season has fallen below the standard he expects.

The Manchester United centre-back's position in the England team is under threat for the World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Poland.

Sol Campbell is fit and playing well, while John Terry is also available.

"I set myself high standards on the pitch and know I have not always lived up to them this season," Ferdinand conceded in an interview with The Sun.

But the player, who has never been dropped from a competitive international by Sven-Goran Eriksson, is confident he can bounce back.

He said: "You have to show the strength of character to come through the difficult times.

"I know I have got that and I know my team-mates have it as well. Every one of them has incredible mental belief."

When we win, everything is fantastic and when we lose everything's a disaster Rio Ferdinand

Two wins against Austria and Poland will guarantee England's place at next year's finals in Germany.

"Nobody wants to be associated with failing to qualify for the World Cup finals. I cannot imagine the shame of it," said Ferdinand.

"There is a huge responsibility on all of us to get England through. It would be one of the biggest disasters in sports history if we blew it and we must make sure it does not happen."

England lost their last qualifier against Northern Ireland in Belfast, allowing Poland to take pole position in the group.

Ferdinand said: "I think some of the criticism has been a bit over the top but it probably reflects the passion for football in our country.

"When we win, everything is fantastic and when we lose everything's a disaster."