STEVEN GERRARD reported for England duty last night – even though he has withdrawn from the squad for Wednesday’s friendly with Germany.
Gerrard has been ruled out by Liverpool for “seven to 10 days” after suffering a muscle tear at Bolton on Saturday, which also makes him doubtful for Premier League home game with Fulham.
But England coach Fabio Capello still made him travel to the team’s base in Watford, where he will be assessed by Football Association medical staff before a final decision on his availability is reached.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is unlikely to be impressed with that but under FIFA rules Capello is entitled to have a look at the Anfield captain, who would be an automatic choice to face the Germans if he was fit.
A Liverpool spokesman said: “A scan has confirmed a tear in the adductor magnus muscle in his right leg, and he is expected to be out between seven to 10 days.”
Meanwhile, Robbie Keane has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s friendly with Poland with a shoulder injury.
Keane reported for training yesterday ahead of Ireland’s game at Croke Park on Wednesday but has now returned to Liverpool for treatment.
Also in the England camp, Chelsea captain John Terry was also summoned by Capello, although having stated on Saturday he was experiencing a lot of pain from the foot injury he sustained at West Brom, it was thought the Three Lions skipper would not be involved either.
However, the 28-year-old had a scan earlier yesterday and the results made him feel it was worthwhile travelling to meet Capello, so at the very least, he must be rated less doubtful than Gerrard.
Terry’s presence would be invaluable as without him, the captain’s armband would presumably be handed to Frank Lampard or Gareth Barry who, with the exception of David James and Theo Walcott, are the only other members of what constitutes England’s first-choice side to remain involved.
Even Capello’s plans for experimentation are being hit following the loss of Manchester City Joe Hart, who had been expected to win his second cap, possibly as a substitute.
Hart was replaced after sustaining an ankle injury trying to keep out Daniel Cousin’s opener in the 2-2 draw at Hull, a blow that could keep the 20-year-old out for a month.
“He will have to be seen by our medical people,” said City managerMark Hughes.
“Missing England is a blow to Joe but more importantly, the injury is a blow to us because we have some key games coming up.”
However, Hart’s loss is Paul Robinson’s gain. The former England number one, who lost his place to Scott Carson after a dire display in the crucial Euro 2008 qualifying defeat against Russia was called into Capello’s squad last night.
While both James and Carson would be viewed as more obvious candidates to play, England’s first visit to the city to play a unified German side since a controversial trip in 1938, Robinson’s inclusion above the competing claims of Ben Foster and Robert Green should at least provide the Blackburn man with a confidence boost.
Having stated he did not want to disrupt a settled formula by bringing in too many new faces, Capello now finds himself with little option.
Gerrard has been ruled out by Liverpool for “seven to 10 days” after suffering a muscle tear at Bolton on Saturday, which also makes him doubtful for Premier League home game with Fulham.
But England coach Fabio Capello still made him travel to the team’s base in Watford, where he will be assessed by Football Association medical staff before a final decision on his availability is reached.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is unlikely to be impressed with that but under FIFA rules Capello is entitled to have a look at the Anfield captain, who would be an automatic choice to face the Germans if he was fit.
A Liverpool spokesman said: “A scan has confirmed a tear in the adductor magnus muscle in his right leg, and he is expected to be out between seven to 10 days.”
Meanwhile, Robbie Keane has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s friendly with Poland with a shoulder injury.
Keane reported for training yesterday ahead of Ireland’s game at Croke Park on Wednesday but has now returned to Liverpool for treatment.
Also in the England camp, Chelsea captain John Terry was also summoned by Capello, although having stated on Saturday he was experiencing a lot of pain from the foot injury he sustained at West Brom, it was thought the Three Lions skipper would not be involved either.
However, the 28-year-old had a scan earlier yesterday and the results made him feel it was worthwhile travelling to meet Capello, so at the very least, he must be rated less doubtful than Gerrard.
Terry’s presence would be invaluable as without him, the captain’s armband would presumably be handed to Frank Lampard or Gareth Barry who, with the exception of David James and Theo Walcott, are the only other members of what constitutes England’s first-choice side to remain involved.
Even Capello’s plans for experimentation are being hit following the loss of Manchester City Joe Hart, who had been expected to win his second cap, possibly as a substitute.
Hart was replaced after sustaining an ankle injury trying to keep out Daniel Cousin’s opener in the 2-2 draw at Hull, a blow that could keep the 20-year-old out for a month.
“He will have to be seen by our medical people,” said City managerMark Hughes.
“Missing England is a blow to Joe but more importantly, the injury is a blow to us because we have some key games coming up.”
However, Hart’s loss is Paul Robinson’s gain. The former England number one, who lost his place to Scott Carson after a dire display in the crucial Euro 2008 qualifying defeat against Russia was called into Capello’s squad last night.
While both James and Carson would be viewed as more obvious candidates to play, England’s first visit to the city to play a unified German side since a controversial trip in 1938, Robinson’s inclusion above the competing claims of Ben Foster and Robert Green should at least provide the Blackburn man with a confidence boost.
Having stated he did not want to disrupt a settled formula by bringing in too many new faces, Capello now finds himself with little option.
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