Liverpool will seek assurances from the Football Association that Steven Gerrard’s workload will be carefully managed in England’s home friendlies against Spain and Sweden next month.
Gerrard only returned to first-team action at Anfield earlier this month after being sidelined since March with a groin injury.
The midfielder, who is expected to win his 90th cap against world champions Spain, was rested by Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish for the midweek Carling Cup victory against Stoke City due to concerns over the 31-year-old’s ability to complete three games in the space of a week so soon after his return to fitness.
The Liverpool captain is set to be restored to the team against West Brom this weekend, but having adopted a specialized training program at Anfield since his recovery from groin surgery, the club is keen to avoid his routine being disrupted while away with England.
Liverpool have no issues with Gerrard being selected for the friendly games and the player himself is keen to re-establish himself in Capello’s team after being restricted by injury to just five caps since the 2010 World Cup.
Gerrard is also determined to close in on the milestone of 100 international caps, but Liverpool are keen to avoid the player completing 90 minutes against both Spain and Sweden later this month.
The midfielder’s handling by England has been a source of contention for Liverpool in the past.
The club’s head of fitness, Darren Burgess, criticized England’s handling of Gerrard via Twitter after the player limped out of the 2-1 defeat against France last November.
Burgess tweeted: ‘Unbelievable from all associated with England and English FA with regard to Steven Gerrard’s injury. Completely ignored agreement and past history.’
Relations have improved since then, however. Capello did not select Gerrard in his squad for the recent Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro after Dalglish called on the Italian to be ‘intelligent’ with the midfielder’s fitness following his return from injury.
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