Steven Gerrard will miss England’s final World Cup qualifying match against Belarus at Wembley tomorrow after limping out of training this morning.
Fabio Capello, the England manager, confirmed the Liverpool captain had been sent back to his club to have his troublesome groin injury assessed. "He didn't finish training because the pain was the same as yesterday," Capello said. "He's going back to Liverpool."
David James, the England goalkeeper, also missed training as he continues to struggle with the knee injury that kept him out earlier in the season. With Robert Green suspended Capello may be forced to recall Ben Foster despite his recent poor form.
"[James] had some problems with his knee," Capello said. "He's getting better, he'll stay with us and tomorrow we'll decide. I will speak with him tomorrow. The other players are fit. There are some little problems but not so big to be a problem."
Gerrard was already rated doubtful for the game against Belarus, having been substituted with a groin injury at half-time during the 1-0 defeat by Ukraine on Saturday, but his failure to complete this morning’s training session at London Colney ruled him out of tomorrow’s game.
It means that James Milner, who replaced him in Dnepropetrovsk, looks likely to start a senior international game for the first time on the left wing, with Gabriel Agbonlahor, his Aston Villa team-mate, favourite to replace the injured Wayne Rooney.
With qualification already assured, Capello is unlikely to be too perturbed about the injury to Gerrard, but Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, may be more worried, having also seen Fernando Torres pick up a knock during Spain’ s victory over Armenia on Saturday.
Although Benitez would not have wanted Gerrard to play tomorrow, Liverpool have a series of big matches coming up – away to Sunderland, at home to Lyons in the Champions League and at home to Manchester United – and their captain’s fitness will suddenly be a prime concern.
Fabio Capello, the England manager, confirmed the Liverpool captain had been sent back to his club to have his troublesome groin injury assessed. "He didn't finish training because the pain was the same as yesterday," Capello said. "He's going back to Liverpool."
David James, the England goalkeeper, also missed training as he continues to struggle with the knee injury that kept him out earlier in the season. With Robert Green suspended Capello may be forced to recall Ben Foster despite his recent poor form.
"[James] had some problems with his knee," Capello said. "He's getting better, he'll stay with us and tomorrow we'll decide. I will speak with him tomorrow. The other players are fit. There are some little problems but not so big to be a problem."
Gerrard was already rated doubtful for the game against Belarus, having been substituted with a groin injury at half-time during the 1-0 defeat by Ukraine on Saturday, but his failure to complete this morning’s training session at London Colney ruled him out of tomorrow’s game.
It means that James Milner, who replaced him in Dnepropetrovsk, looks likely to start a senior international game for the first time on the left wing, with Gabriel Agbonlahor, his Aston Villa team-mate, favourite to replace the injured Wayne Rooney.
With qualification already assured, Capello is unlikely to be too perturbed about the injury to Gerrard, but Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, may be more worried, having also seen Fernando Torres pick up a knock during Spain’ s victory over Armenia on Saturday.
Although Benitez would not have wanted Gerrard to play tomorrow, Liverpool have a series of big matches coming up – away to Sunderland, at home to Lyons in the Champions League and at home to Manchester United – and their captain’s fitness will suddenly be a prime concern.
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