Steven Gerrard is confident of making his first Liverpool start for a month against Manchester City on Saturday after revealing an anti-inflammatory injection has alleviated the need for groin surgery.
The Liverpool captain had the injection almost two weeks ago in an attempt to avoid an operation on the adductor problem he suffered playing for England against Ukraine on 10 October. The 29-year-old felt no reaction to his comeback against Birmingham City last Monday other than fatigue, having replaced the hamstrung Albert Riera in the 45th minute, and missed England's friendly against Brazil to continue treatment with Liverpool's medical team.
While surgery has not been completely discounted, the threat has receded thanks to the latest injection and Gerrard expects to test his recovery against Mark Hughes's side at Anfield. Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun, Fábio Aurélio and Riera, however, will all miss the game through injury.
"I felt very tired after the game, as I wasn't really ready to return [against Birmingham] and I'd done very little training in the three weeks beforehand," Gerrard said. "It took me two or three days to recover from that game but I have spent the past week doing strengthening work but I'm feeling a lot better now. I'm looking forward to the weekend. There's no mental hurdle to cross.
"I've had a problem in my groin that has taken a while to get over but I'm just relieved the second injection seems to have done the trick. It's a case of so far so good and the aim now is to make sure I get a good week's training under my belt so I'm ready for the game with City."
The midfielder, who last started a game on 20 October against Lyon in the Champions League, admitted his frustration had been exacerbated by recent results. "Some of the lowest points in my career have come about when I have had to miss big games for Liverpool and England through injury," said Gerrard.
"It's never easy when you have to sit out games against Manchester United or trips away from home in the Champions League. If the lads are winning games and doing well, it makes the pain a bit easier so obviously the last couple of weeks have been extra frustrating. But I'm feeling good now, a lot stronger than before and it's just a question of getting my match sharpness back now. That is the most important thing."
Glen Johnson, who withdrew from England's last squad with a calf injury, and Daniel Agger, who felt a reaction to a recent back problem against Birmingham, are both expected to be available for the City game, as is David Ngog, who broke his nose on duty with France Under-21s. "We know Ngog has broken his nose but it's not serious," said Rafael Benítez.
The Liverpool manager also revealed Benayoun and Riera could return from hamstring tears ahead of the expected four-week recovery period, but holds little hope of Torres or Aurélio being fit for this weekend. Torres may not return until the Merseyside derby on 29 November as he rests a problem with a hernia while Aurélio remains hindered by the calf injury that deprived him of a first Brazil cap against England in Doha.
"Fernando Torres is training with the physios, so I don't think he'll be available," said Benítez. On the Brazilian full-back, he added: "It's a pity because he was waiting for this call for a long time, then when he got the opportunity he had a problem. He's improving but still has a little bit of a problem with his calf. It will be difficult for him to play against Man City."
The Liverpool captain had the injection almost two weeks ago in an attempt to avoid an operation on the adductor problem he suffered playing for England against Ukraine on 10 October. The 29-year-old felt no reaction to his comeback against Birmingham City last Monday other than fatigue, having replaced the hamstrung Albert Riera in the 45th minute, and missed England's friendly against Brazil to continue treatment with Liverpool's medical team.
While surgery has not been completely discounted, the threat has receded thanks to the latest injection and Gerrard expects to test his recovery against Mark Hughes's side at Anfield. Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun, Fábio Aurélio and Riera, however, will all miss the game through injury.
"I felt very tired after the game, as I wasn't really ready to return [against Birmingham] and I'd done very little training in the three weeks beforehand," Gerrard said. "It took me two or three days to recover from that game but I have spent the past week doing strengthening work but I'm feeling a lot better now. I'm looking forward to the weekend. There's no mental hurdle to cross.
"I've had a problem in my groin that has taken a while to get over but I'm just relieved the second injection seems to have done the trick. It's a case of so far so good and the aim now is to make sure I get a good week's training under my belt so I'm ready for the game with City."
The midfielder, who last started a game on 20 October against Lyon in the Champions League, admitted his frustration had been exacerbated by recent results. "Some of the lowest points in my career have come about when I have had to miss big games for Liverpool and England through injury," said Gerrard.
"It's never easy when you have to sit out games against Manchester United or trips away from home in the Champions League. If the lads are winning games and doing well, it makes the pain a bit easier so obviously the last couple of weeks have been extra frustrating. But I'm feeling good now, a lot stronger than before and it's just a question of getting my match sharpness back now. That is the most important thing."
Glen Johnson, who withdrew from England's last squad with a calf injury, and Daniel Agger, who felt a reaction to a recent back problem against Birmingham, are both expected to be available for the City game, as is David Ngog, who broke his nose on duty with France Under-21s. "We know Ngog has broken his nose but it's not serious," said Rafael Benítez.
The Liverpool manager also revealed Benayoun and Riera could return from hamstring tears ahead of the expected four-week recovery period, but holds little hope of Torres or Aurélio being fit for this weekend. Torres may not return until the Merseyside derby on 29 November as he rests a problem with a hernia while Aurélio remains hindered by the calf injury that deprived him of a first Brazil cap against England in Doha.
"Fernando Torres is training with the physios, so I don't think he'll be available," said Benítez. On the Brazilian full-back, he added: "It's a pity because he was waiting for this call for a long time, then when he got the opportunity he had a problem. He's improving but still has a little bit of a problem with his calf. It will be difficult for him to play against Man City."
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