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Gerrard pulls out of England friendly
11.08.09
Steven Gerrard was today forced to pull out of England's friendly against Holland in Amsterdam.
The Liverpool midfielder complained of a sore groin during training and has withdrawn from tomorrow's game as a precaution.
Capello is unlikely to call up a replacement for Gerrard, who has returned to Liverpool to be assessed ahead of their Premier League opening match against Tottenham this Sunday.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will no doubt welcome the decision to adopt a cautious stance over Gerrard's fitness.
The midfielder has been plagued by muscular problems in the past and Benitez will desperately hope to have his talisman available at White Hart Lane, especially as he also has defensive problems with doubts over Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel.
Gerrard follows Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster out of Fabio Capello's squad.
The stopper picked up a knee injury during the Community Shield defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.
West Ham's Robert Green is set to start in goal tomorrow while Joe Hart, who has been called up from the Under-21 side following Foster's withdrawal, is set to be on the bench.
Capello also has concerns over Arsenal's Theo Walcott, who is lacking match fitness.
The winger has seen his pre-season campaign limited to just 45 minutes against Valencia last weekend.
Walcott was granted extra leave after getting to the final of the European Championships with the England Under-21s.
Tomorrow night sees Croatia, who trail England by 10 points in their World Cup qualifying group, try to close that gap when they face Belarus in Minsk.
Reader views (13)
What a surprise?
Superstar Footballer Pulls out of meaningless Friendly Shocker!
Just let all the other fringe players get injured instead eh Stevie?
- Roynaldo, Elm Park
miracle recovery by Sunday?
What a dirtbox this bloke is
- Kerry Trubee, purley
he is rich he has fame he would rather be in MA shaws pub,maybe if we had an english coach like sir bobby he would play.but mama mia cappello is boring to the players they will lose this game,watch the headlnes..
- Phil, usa
Time that players pulling out of games were banned from playing in the next league game - Lampard never pulls out of England games maybe the northern boo boys should remember that the next time we play
- Paul, Ealing
He'll be fit by Saturday .. meanwhile, maybe it's time to call up Ronnie Biggs to run the midfield given his miraculous recovery?
- Paul, London
Stevie's from the same school of England commitment as Jamie Carragher.
- Neil, Bedford, England
er, do you not think it might have been his club that made him withdraw given the injuries to Torres and Carragher, their other main players? you can't blame them either, what a stupid time to play an international, 3 days before the start of the season
- Harry, London
Sure he would have played if he was captain. or perhaps he heard pancake was going to pop round
- Jk, Uk
You watch, he'll be running around like a two-year-old at WHL on Sunday - getting some stick, too, I reckon.
- Ted, London
Yet again Stevie Me pulls out of a friendly squad. Baffled how with this attitude and his often average performances for country that he is a) still picked & b) not booed like other more commited players.
- Yoy, UK
Maybe his missus has told him he must go shopping with her instead.
- Anthony, Esher, Surrey
What a surprise from 'Stevie Me', expect a few more withdrawals from Liverpool or Man Utd players before tomorrow.
- Kev, London
Bet he's fit enough to play at the weekend though.
- Glennda, Berkhamsted UK
