McClaren giving Gerrard every chance

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Although Frank Lampard's groin injury is not quite as serious as had been initially reported, the Chelsea man is a definite absentee from the Israel clash, just making it even more important Gerrard is part of McClaren's line-up.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has already expressed his concern about the 26-year-old being fit enough to play as Gerrard has still only managed one game since breaking his toe in the Champions League qualifier against Toulouse three weeks ago - but McClaren insisted: "We will leave it as late as possible but I am very confident Steven will be with us on Saturday."

For his part, Gerrard has assured McClaren he will be fit and reaffirmed that belief to fans at England's London Colney training complex on Tuesday morning.

However, given Gerrard was not part of the full session, the bullish stance has only reinforced the belief he will have a pain-killing injection, similar to the one he took to get him through Liverpool's home draw with Chelsea immediately after the Merseysider suffered the initial injury.

"We are assessing it day by day. He wants to play, I want him to play, the team does, the fans do and the whole country does," McClaren added. "It is a big game and we need big players. Steven Gerrard is one of them."

McClaren also confirmed Lampard was now a '50-50' bet to figure against Russia next Wednesday after being immediately discharged from the England camp following scans on his thigh injury and told to return on Saturday.