Ferdinand's Family Affair

ANTON Ferdinand is looking forward to a great day for his family on Sunday as he looks set to line-up against brother Rio, but insists that once he is on the field his mind will be totally focused on the job for West Ham United.

The 20-year-old Hammers centre-back should take on his brother for the first time in a competitive game this Sunday when Manchester United visit Upton Park. And although he can't wait for the game, Anton will certainly not be giving an inch once he steps onto the Boleyn Ground pitch.

"It will be a great day," admitted Anton, "one for the family and certainly one that they will never forget.

"It'll be an emotional day for the family, but in a good way of course because it's certainly been their dream for a long time to see us both play together on the same pitch.

"Our Dad has seen one son make it to the very top and play for England, now he is determined to see the next son make it. I'm sure it will be a proud day for him.

"It's going to be great to play against Rio. Hopefully we'll swap shirts at the end and we'll certainly be friendly after the game.

"But my job is to play well and do my best for West Ham United and once I cross that white line that's all I'll be concentrating on."

The two brothers are very close and Anton reveals that there has been plenty of friendly banter about the game - although he warns that come Sunday both players will be serious and focused on playing for their respective clubs.

"There's been plenty of banter about the game," smiled Anton. "We're very close and we talk almost every day. So you can imagine this week the conversation has been dominated by Sunday's match.

"We're both really looking forward to it, but although I'll be playing against my brother for the first time my aim is to be professional about it and hopefully help the team get another good result after the draw at Spurs last week.

"We played really well as a team at White Hart Lane. We showed a lot of togetherness and got our reward in the end. We'll need more of the same on Sunday. They're obviously a great side, but we won't go into the game with any fear and we have the belief in the team to get a result.

"I was delighted to score my first Premier League goal last week, and it did mean I got one up on Rio because we've got this little bet going with the goals and I'm leading at the moment.

"Hopefully I can put another one over him this weekend. The banter will be flying, but come game time we'll be serious about doing our jobs. Hopefully, I can get the better of him on Sunday and we come out with a result to celebrate."