Less than two months ago it took a meeting with Eriksson and Palios to allay Campbell's belief that he was being victimised by the FA's disciplinary process.Those players who do travel to Istanbul will be billeted at the Ritz Carlton and ordered not to leave the premises except on official business. However, this may not be so if he is found guilty and given a three-match suspension and not just because that might prompt an appeal. Campbell's playing commitments, and the death of his father, had made it difficult to find a date. The hearing was initially pencilled in for next Monday but Eriksson supported bringing it forward. He reasoned Campbell's focus would be improved by settling the issue. This relates to a charge of violent conduct following an attempted kick at Manchester United's Eric Djemba-Djemba during the FA Community Shield in August. With Jonathan Woodgate injured and Gareth Southgate discarded, Eriksson would be forced to play John Terry if he is ruled out.

The manager's other first choice centre-half, Sol Campbell, is already facing a disciplinary hearing in London tomorrow. The recommended penalty for a first offence is a two-year ban, although the FA reserves the right to refer offenders for treatment, in which case their identity would usually be protected, or to levy a reduced sentence.Ferdinand's form of late has been patchy, but he has been a cornerstone of Eriksson's England side, notably during the World Cup. Ferdinand will need to convince the FA there was a valid reason for his initial refusal If not he could be treated as if he had failed a test. One possibility is that the hearing could be brought forward before the squad leave on Thursday. However, the proximity of Saturday's fixture has forced them to consider whether he should play.Eriksson is thought to want to include Ferdinand in both the squad and Saturday's team but some senior FA figures, including, it is believed, Mark Palios the new chief executive, feel he should be omitted pending disciplinary action.

Ferdinand, who it is claimed "forgot" because he was moving house, took a test 36-48 hours later. The FA subsequently wrote to United asking Ferdinand to appear at their Soho Square headquarters next Monday to explain his failure. If Ferdinand had then tested positive England could have been expelled. In the long term this failure could have led to a two-year ban. In the short term it meant Eriksson would not have been prepared to select him because two players from each team will be randomly tested after Saturday's match in Istanbul. Ferdinand is understood to have failed to participate when doping control officers arrived at Manchester United on 23 September to perform random testing.