Gerrard misses training

The Liverpool captain has played only once since breaking a toe against Toulouse three weeks ago and Reds boss Rafael Benitez has expressed doubt as to whether Gerrard will be fit for both games, when England will require a minimum of four points to retain any realistic hope of reaching the European Championship finals in Austria and Switzerland next summer.

For his part, Gerrard has assured enlgand boss Steve McClaren he will play.

However, the England coach decided to let Gerrard continue his rehabilitation in the gym as the rest of his squad were put through their paces for the first time at Arsenal's London Colney training complex.

Gerrard was not alone in missing the main session.

Captain John Terry was also absent after reporting for duty feeling slightly under the weather.

Manchester United's Owen Hargreaves was also restricted to gym work as he continues to battle against a tendinitis problem in his knee which has affected the start of his Red Devils career.

McClaren is confident both Terry and Hargreaves will train on Wednesday, which will be a welcome relief considering the uncertainty over Gerrard and the news that Frank Lampard has effectively been ruled out of Saturday's encounter with Israel at Wembley.

Lampard was always a major doubt after sustaining a thigh muscle tear in training with Chelsea on Friday.

The midfielder did link up with the England squad as planned but after a quick assessment by the FA's medical staff, the 29-year-old was sent back to Chelsea.