Ferdinand:
"I don't like watching at the best of times. I would far rather be out there playing, but I have had to do this for eight months.
"It has been extremely difficult for me, especially as we didn't win the league.
"I have plenty of mates down in London who support Arsenal and Chelsea, so I have had to listen to them giving me stick and all I can do is take it on the chin.
"It's not been an easy situation and when something like this happens you certainly realise who your friends and family are.
"But if I come out of it a stronger person, it would make it a lot easier.
"People have said 'it must be like being on holiday'.
"If anything my training has been harder when I haven't been playing than when I have.
"I just want to make sure I pick up where I left off.
"I was playing well when I got banned. I want to try and hit the ground running and find the same form again."
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