Gerrard to miss England qualifiers

Updated 08.09 Thu Aug 28 2008
Keywords: 2010 world cup south africa, 2010 world cup, world cup 2010, premier league, liverpool, england football, steven gerrard, england, football, champions league, sport

Steven Gerrard is expected to miss England's World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia to have an operation.

The midfielder played through the pain of a groin injury as Liverpool scored in the last-minute of extra-time to beat Standard Liege 1-0 in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier.

"He will have an operation and could be out for 10 to 15 days" - Rafael Benitez

Gerrard will need two weeks to recover from the surgery, ruling him out of both qualifiers.

After the last-gasp win over Standard, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said: "He will have an operation and could be out for ten to 15 days. It is not serious but we need to do it now.

"He has been playing some games in pain, not being 100 per cent fit and we decided that this was the best moment for the operation.

"He had a problem for the first game with Liege, and also when he went away to play for England in their friendly last week against the Czech Republic. We talked with the doctor, and it was decided that Steven would play in this match with the pain. But now we will have to get the situation solved."

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