Gerrard set for starting role against Israel

England coach Steve McClaren has confirmed that Steven Gerrard will be included in the starting line-up for the country's crunch Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel on Saturday.

كتب : Hatem Maher

السبت، 08 سبتمبر 2007 - 00:06
Steven Gerrard
England coach Steve McClaren has confirmed that Steven Gerrard will be included in the starting line-up for the country's crunch Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel on Saturday.

The Liverpool skipper was doubtful for the game due to a broken toe he picked up in his club's UEFA Champions League clash against France's Toulouse last month.

It was initially expected that Gerrard would take a pain-killing injection to participate in the match but it seems now he can normally play.

"He has trained twice without an injection and if he plays tomorrow like he played this morning in training then everyone will be delighted," McClaren was quoted as saying by Sky Sports on Friday.

"That's the kind of performance that we need and it's a big boost for everybody, most of all Stevie G because he desperately wants to play in this game. He came through it with no problems whatsoever."

With Frank Lampard sitting out through a thigh injury, McClaren is hoping to have Owen Hargreaves available for the clash at Wembley as the Manchester United midfielder is struggling to be fit.

"Owen Hargreaves will have a fitness test tomorrow morning. We are leaving it as late as possible to make a decision after that test to see if he can play in the afternoon," McClaren added.

"He is another one who wants to play every game. He wants to play tomorrow and we will give him every opportunity to do that but we will leave it upto the players and medics to make that decision."