London, May 29 (IANS) Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard is doubtful for Sunday’s warm-up against Japan in Austria after which England manager will announce his final 23 for the World Cup in South Africa.
The England vice captain, who celebrates his 30th birthday Sunday, failed to complete a second successive training session at Irdning in Austria. Gerrard suffered a strain to his right calf Thursday.
The Daily Mirror reported that Gerrard was guided through three laps of light jogging by head physio Gary Lewin before the pair disappeared inside ATV Irdning’s gym for 15 minutes’ treatment.
Gerrard, who was not limping and had no strapping applied to his leg, was then the first player to head into the dressing room before boss Fabio Capello called an end to an abridged training session in the Austrian Alps.
England’s marauding midfielder showed no outward signs of discomfort but his inability to complete another session will be of serious concern to Capello who already has one midfielder, Manchester City’s Gareth Barry, sidelined with ankle ligament damage.
