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Reds skipper Gerrard ruled out of England qualifiers

28/08/2008

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been told he will miss England's September World Cup qualifiers to have minor surgery on a groin injury.

Reds manager Rafael Benitez broke the news to the media shortly after watching his side progress to the group stages of the Champions League, courtesy of a last-minute winner from Dirk Kuyt against Standard Liege at Anfield.

As a result of the operation Gerrard will be out for around a fortnight, meaning he will miss England's trips to Andorra and Croatia as they look to kick-start their qualifying campaign for South Africa 2010.

"I'm disappointed because Gerrard will have an operation tomorrow," Benitez said.

"He has a groin problem. We knew it could be like this and I was surprised when I was reading some of the newspapers saying he has to play and has to start.

"Now he will have an operation and will be out for ten to 15 days."

Benitez revealed Gerrard has been playing through the pain barrier over the last couple of weeks in order to help the Reds make a decent start to the domestic season and qualify for the money-spinning Champions League group stage.

Nevertheless, Gerrard played the full 120 minutes of the match against the Belgian side.

"I was talking with the doctor yesterday and today we talked with [Gerrard]," Benitez continued.

"He said he would play with pain and after it he would have an operation.

"He knew he had to keep going tonight and did so because he knew he was having it tomorrow."