The midfielder would have been favourite to captain the side in the absence of Rio Ferdinand but, despite playing the full 90 minutes of Sunday's 1-0 Premier League win over Chelsea, he will not feature. Reds manager Kenny Dalglish confirmed Gerrard would report for assessment with the England doctors but that he would not be available for duty. "He has a groin problem," said Dalglish. "He has to go so they (England) can have a look at him but we've spoken to England and he'll not be playing." Gerrard was caught up in a club-versus-country row last time he played for England after sustaining a hamstring injury in the friendly against France. Gerrard played 85 minutes of the match despite Fabio Capello initially agreeing with the Reds to keep their skipper on for just an hour. His subsequent injury, which kept him on the sidelines as former boss Roy Hodgson endured a turbulent time at Anfield, saw the club receive an insurance payment from the Football Association to cover his wages while absent.
