England central defender Rio Ferdinand will miss his country's Euro 2004 qualifier away to Macedonia on Skopje on Saturday because of a kidney complaint, the Football Association have confirmed.
The Manchester United's player's fitness is to be assessed again after the match to determine whether he can return to the England side for their next qualifier at home to Liechtenstein at Old Trafford next Wednesday.
Ferdinand's departure adds to a long list of injury woes for England manager Sven Goran Eriksson. Influential midfielders Steven Gerrard (ankle), Trevor Sinclair (knee) and Paul Scholes (groin) have also pulled out of the match.
In Ferdinand's absence, cover comes in the shape of Birmingham City defender Matthew Upson, who was called into the squad yesterday as a precaution.
However Chelsea's John Terry is the most likely replacement in the starting line-up, partnering Sol Campbell in the centre of defence.