One factor above all others is driving Rio Ferdinand towards Euro 2008 - the prospect of seeing Sir Alex Ferguson's face if England fail to make it.

Having missed out on the last European Championships due to his eight-month ban for a missed drugs test after sitting out the previous one following his axing by Kevin Keegan, Ferdinand has no need for added motivation as England look to take another step towards next summer's finals by beating Israel at Wembley tomorrow.

England currently lie fourth in Group E, two places behind tomorrow's opponents, so a failure to win would leave Steve McClaren's men struggling to qualify, and Ferdinand describes the prospect of missing the finals as "a catastrophe".

However, while the full impact would not be felt until next year, the 29-year-old shudders at the thought of bumping into Ferguson at United's Carrington training complex the day after England's exit is confirmed.

"Walking into the training ground and seeing the manager would kill me," he said.

"It's that smirk. I would probably just go underground. I certainly would not watch any games on TV.

"It would eat away at me for the rest of the season, knowing so many of the other United lads would be going.

"I cannot even contemplate us not qualifying. If, God forbid, we failed, it would be a catastrophe."

While Ferdinand delivered his thoughts on Ferguson with half a smile on his face, he knows it is time to get serious.

The defender freely admits England's current 'golden generation' have failed miserably to live up to their lofty reputations, and he is getting tired of introspective post-tournament gatherings to discuss what has gone wrong.

"On the night we lost to Portugal in the World Cup, we were all sitting there, out of the tournament and back in the hotel, reflecting on what had happened," he said.

"There was just a sense of numbness: 'How are we out of this World Cup'? You ask yourself questions.

"The fact is each individual can play fantastic football for their clubs but, ever since I have been in the England squad, I don't think we have fulfilled our potential.

"We have never brought our club form together as a package.

"A lot of the lads in the squad are very honest and after the World Cup, we just thought 'is it my fault'?"

In Ferdinand's case, the answer would be no but then that would fit the stereotype of the £29.1million defender, who seems to have few problems excelling in the biggest games but sometimes struggles in the less important ones.

"I think in the tournaments I've always done quite well and done what has been asked of me," he said.

"Sometimes in the qualifying campaign and the friendlies there can be indifferent performances but I think in the main, in an England shirt, I have never let my country down."

McClaren could certainly do with Ferdinand, and a few others, stepping forward against Israel.

Even if Steven Gerrard and Owen Hargreaves are passed fit, their training schedule has been badly curtailed this week, so neither midfielder can be expected to produce top form.

At the present time, Gerrard appears more likely to play than Hargreaves, who was forced to have a scan on a thigh injury after he felt a twinge at the start of training yesterday.

McClaren has reported the damage not to be too extensive and remains optimistic the £18m Manchester United midfielder will be available.

"It is only a small problem and we are hoping it will clear,'' said McClaren.

"Owen is certainly not ruled out of Saturday.'