The Ferdinand brothers are being tested, with questions raised over the form and fitness of Manchester United's Rio, while Anton has been left out of Steve Bruce's last three starting line-ups.

The Black Cats' defender could be recalled in place of the suspended Michael Turner at home to Arsenal on Saturday week, but is happy to have his sibling as a constant support in good times and bad.

Ferdinand said: "It has been an up and down time for me, but that's football. Football is for mentally tough people – if you're not, you get found out.

"I am still enjoying my football. I will always fight my corner and I will always get my place back in the team. That's the character I am.

"You see that with my brother as well. It's something that has been put into us from a young age by our mum and dad – not to be a quitter.

"These situations, although they can put you on a downer, I tend to look forward to them."

Twenty-four-year-old Anton is still looking to prove how good he can be.

Rio is seven years his senior and, having reached the very top of the game for club and country, now finds critics suggesting he is beyond his best.

Anton insisted: "The criticism of Rio is a bit harsh from my point of view.

"People will say I am saying that because he's my brother, but this is the first time he has had a bad period since he was playing at West Ham, and that was 10 or 11 years ago.

"For a player of his ability to play in so many big games and have one bad patch in 10 years, that says something – that he is one of the best.

"He knew that this was going to happen. The minute he does not play well, people are going to jump on his back.

"But I know my brother and he is going to come back stronger than ever.

"People are doubting him for the World Cup and I think that's astonishing because he has been England's best player in the last two World Cups.

"It does hurt you when people say these things, but it is just ammo for Rio.

"We talk all the time. I don't have to say much to him because he's been there, done it and worn the T-shirt. He has been through what I am going through.

"He wants to help me. He might be the best defender in the world but he wants me to be as good as him if not better and he wants me to achieve everything he's achieved.

"That's the beauty of having him as my brother."

Asked if boss Bruce has put a consoling arm round his shoulder after leaving him out of the starting 11 against Aston Villa, West Ham and Spurs, Ferdinand replied: "Deep down I know what I have to do to get back in. I don't need anyone to tell me.

"Some managers put their arm round your shoulder and others don't. But I know why I was not playing and what I have to do. I have to deal with that; no one else.

"I was not consistent enough. He (Bruce) felt other people were playing better, so I wasn't playing.

"That's just the way it goes.

"It is up to me now."