England captain Rio Ferdinand wants to return from the World Cup with no regrets.

The Three Lions have departed for South Africa as they launch their bid to end a 44-year wait to lift the Jules Rimet Trophy.

Ferdinand told PA Sport: “"The message when we fly to South Africa is that we are going to be doing our utmost to bring the World Cup back.

"We are not out there to finish second, we are not out there to make the semi-finals and think 'we've done a good job because we have got past the quarter-finals.'

"We are there to go and win it. That is what the build-up has all been about, preparing right, recuperating after training, recuperating after games properly.

"It's been about making sure that all the minor little details that need doing are done properly to make sure we have the best chance to win."

The Manchester United man insists England will not read too much into their recently friendly performances that were far from convincing.

“Even before the last World Cup started, we beat Jamaica 6-1 at Old Trafford in a warm-up game and it was almost like creating a false sense of security,” he continued.

"It kind of papered over the cracks of what we needed to work on but, with this manager, we get into minor details which might add up to being important things and that is the difference between being champions and being an also ran.

"We want to come back with no regrets. In the past I have been to several tournaments and there has probably been an element of regret in each one of them.

"I don't want to finish my England career, if this is going to be last tournament, on that note."

England are 7/1 with Victor Chandler, Paddy Power, bodog and Ladbrokes to win this summer's World Cup.