Thursday, April 11, 2013

Downing And Sterling Fitness Update

Reds winger Stewart Downing is available again for this weekend's trip to Reading following a bout of sickness, but Raheem Sterling has been ruled out of Saturday's clash by manager Brendan Rodgers.

Downing was withdrawn after 25 minutes against West Ham last Sunday, having attempted to feature at Anfield despite suffering illness before the match.

At his press conference on Wednesday afternoon, the boss revealed that the 28-year-old has returned to fitness - although Sterling will not make the squad.

"Young Raheem won't be involved. Stewart Downing had a bout of sickness last weekend just before the game, hence the reason for him having to come off," Rodgers told reporters.

"He's fine now. Apart from that, we're fit and strong - the players are looking very good."

Asked to expand on Sterling's fitness, the Northern Irishman explained that the club's medical team is focusing on the 18-year-old's long-term availability.

He added: "The medics wanted to take him out for a few weeks just to see where he was at with injuries. It has been an ongoing one.

"He's a very young player so we don't want to risk any long-term injury when there's no need. Of course you would rather have him in the squad to develop him, but this is a part of making sure we have a duty of care for him as a young player.

"When he shows signs of fatigue and a little bit of injury, we have to look at that and treat it in the best way we think possible. At the moment, that's to take him out."

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