The experienced pair were absent for Saturday's 2-0 win at West Brom and although Carragher's calf problem is unlikely to keep him out for long, the extent of the problem with Gerrard's infected ankle has yet to be determined. Liverpool's captain, pictured leaving hospital on Sunday with his leg in a cast or heavy strapping, is likely to find out in the next 24 hours what course of action needs to be taken to return him to full fitness. But Carroll, a £35million January signing, has had to play virtually all his short Reds career without Gerrard - who was sidelined for six months in March after a groin operation. In fact, with Carroll's injury problems delaying his debut last season, the pair have been on the pitch together in just four matches. And Gerrard, Carroll and Luis Suarez, the new focal point of Liverpool's attacking options, have never started a match together. However, the former Newcastle striker is confident the squad now assembled by manager Kenny Dalglish after some significant summer spending is well-equipped to cope with such issues. "It was tough not having Stevie or Carra in the squad," said the 22-year-old England international. "They are great players and we need them in the team once they've got over their little niggles. "But we have fantastic players that can come in. The game showed we've got lads who can step in when needed and do a job. "We showed what we can do. We passed it around well and deserved the three points." Carroll's start to his Liverpool career has not been as straightforward as the club's record signing would have liked, as fitness affected his early progress and he has yet to secure a regular place in the starting line-up this season. "I've been disappointed to be sat on the bench," he added. "But when you are left out it just makes you work harder the next day in training to get your place back. "We have a big squad, players come and go every week. It was a different XI at West Brom compared to the previous week and the week before that. "Everyone is fighting hard in training for a place. I've been working hard every day to get my fitness up and to try to get a place in the team and I think I earned it. "We will have to see what happens next weekend. I want to get my name in the starting XI every week."
