28 Aug 2008

Gerrard groin op set to rule him out for England

2:16 pm on 28 August 2008

Liverpool's influential captain, the midfielder Steven Gerrard, is likely to miss England's opening two World Cup qualifiers next month to have surgery on his groin.

Gerrard played in Liverpool's 1-0 win over Standard Liege that put them in the Champions League group stage but is now expected to be out of action for 10 to 15 days.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez says Gerrard's been playing some games in pain and hasn't been fit.

England play away at Andorra mid next week then visit Croatia in Group Six qualifiers.