Rio banks on rejuvenated Rooney
Rio Ferdinand is hoping Wayne Rooney will recapture his best form for England and Manchester United.
Rooney has returned to this country after his "refocusing" trip to America.
He has now recovered from the ankle problem which has sidelined him for the past month.
Rooney was not considered for England's friendly international with France at Wembley. but the striker is being assessed by United to see if he will be ready for the home Premier League clash with Wigan at the weekend.
Ferdinand said: "Hopefully Wazza will come back and be the Wazza we remember. That is what everyone is hoping.
"He has gone away and worked really hard physically.
"We all hope he comes back in great shape and ready to play for Manchester United and England in the future.
"A fit Rooney is one of the best players in the world."
Theo Walcott is in contention to start against France and Ferdinand believes he only needs to enjoy an injury-free run to fulfil his potential.
Ferdinand said: "Theo is a player of great talent. This season he has scored some nice goals and looked very calm in front of goal.
"Everyone knows he has got ability. It is just about playing a run of games. He's had a lot of injuries.
"When he seems to have been getting into his groove, he has been held back by various injuries.
"If he can get a good run together, we will see the real talent of Theo coming through."
Ferdinand has sympathy for his England defensive partner, John Terry, with the Chelsea skipper facing the possibility of a lengthy lay-off because of a back problem.
He said: "To here about anyone being injured for any length of time is disappointing.
"'JT' (Terry) had a problem a while ago with his back and he got it sorted and it seems to have come up again.
"He is in good hands with Chelsea and their medical team and, fingers crossed, he will be coming back and playing as soon as possible.
"It is not nice to see anyone injured but he will work his way back to fitness and be in the manager's eyes again."