ManU defender RIO FERDINAND "has earned his first England call-up" under Manager ROY HODGSON for the World Cup qualifiers with San Marino and Montenegro later this month. Hodgson cited "footballing reasons" for Ferdinand's exclusion in his squad for the Euro 2012 finals and he "has remained out of his plans ever since." The FA also confirmed that EPL club West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper BEN FOSTER "had been recalled after reversing his decision to retire" from int'l football (London TELEGRAPH, 3/14). ... Olympic Gold Medalist USAIN BOLT "will again run at the Golden Spike meet" in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Bolt will race for the seventh time at the meet, which is part of the new IAAF World Challenge series, scheduled for June 27. Bolt will join Jamaican teammate YOHAN BLAKE for the 4x100-meter relay (AP, 3/14). ... F1 CEO BERNIE ECCLESTONE said he would like to lure DANICA PATRICK to the sport but acknowledges "she would be unlikely to make the move" (AP, 3/14). ... Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen FC Manager CRAIG BROWN has announced "he will stand down." The 72-year-old "took over at Pittodrie in December 2010 after leaving Motherwell but he has struggled to achieve lasting success at the club" (SCOTSMAN, 3/14).
