Rio Ferdinand admits he is "itching" to play again ahead of his much-anticipated return to full training with Manchester United on Monday.
It is expected the centre-back will be at manager Sir Alex Ferguson's disposal from mid-September, with Ferdinand set to return to full training on Monday.
"I am good, I am working hard with the physios and the fitness guys at the club and doing a lot of rehab," said the 31-year-old.
"Hopefully, fingers crossed, I will be back pulling on the shirt soon.
"It has been well-documented that in the past I have rushed back too many times and broken down.
"But hopefully this time I have done it the right way."
He added: "I have had that many games on the sidelines that I would just like to get back and have that release and satisfaction of playing football again."
England skipper Ferdinand also defended his international team-mates, who came in for criticism for their poor showing at South Africa this summer.
He said: "To say the lads don't care and have got no pride in wearing the shirt annoys me. You don't go out there to lose a football match and not play well.
"You want to be patted on the back and be told 'well done'. Unfortunately we did not win the Word Cup, but it wasn't for the want of trying."
