LIVERPOOL (AFP) — Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez admitted he breathed a sigh of relief after Steven Gerrard emerged unscathed from England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel.
Benitez had been convinced Gerrard would not be able to play for England because the Liverpool captain was struggling to recover from a broken toe.
But he featured for 71 minutes of England's 3-0 victory without needing a pain-killing injection before Steve McClaren took him off to save him for Wednesday's clash against Russia.
"Steven did not need an injection and the fact he played with no problems and did well is good news for England, but even better news for Liverpool, thinking about our game with Portsmouth," Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.
Benitez received a further boost on Monday as Jamie Carragher returned to training as he stepped up his recovery from the broken rib and collapsed lung he suffered at Sunderland on August 25.
Carragher could be in contention for Saturday's Premier League match at Portsmouth if he progresses well this week, but Benitez will not rush the defender back.
"We must be careful with Carra and we will wait until the end of the week to see how well he is," Benitez said.
"He is running again and he will do more training and then maybe we can see if he has a chance to play at the weekend. At this moment, it's still too early to say."
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
