Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand has backed his older brother Rio Ferdinand, of Manchester United to come back stronger after recent doubts over his form and fitness.
Rio has come in for criticism over his performances recently, and having missed the first month of the season with a torn thigh muscle is now struggling with a calf injury.
However Anton told the Sunderland Echo: "I know my brother and he'll come back stronger than ever.
"People are doubting him for the World Cup, it's astonishing - he's been England's best player at the last two."
The Sunderland man also believes his brother is up for criticism due to the impeccably high standards he has set for himself over the years.
"This is the first time he's had a bad period since he left West Ham . For a player who has played so many big games to only have one bad patch in a ten or eleven year period says something.
"He's one of the best, he knows this would always happen. The minute he doesn't play well people will jump on his back.
"It does hurt you when people say these things, but it is just ammo for Rio."
Sunderland's Anton Ferdinand Backs Big Brother Rio To Bounce Back