England rest Gerrard against San Marino

22 March 2013 19:16

England manager Roy Hodgson elected to rest captain Steven Gerrard for the World Cup qualifier away to San Marino on Friday.

The Liverpool midfielder is apparently being saved for Tuesday's trip to Podgorica, where England will tackle current Group H leaders Montenegro.

In Gerrard's absence, the captaincy passed to Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard.

After a glut of defensive withdrawals, Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling was paired alongside Manchester City's Joleon Lescott at centre-back.

And amid reports that Theo Walcott has sustained a groin injury that will prevent him from playing in both games, his Arsenal colleague Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was selected in one of the wide midfield berths.

England: Joe Hart, Kyle Walker, Leighton Baines, Tom Cleverley, Joleon Lescott, Chris Smalling, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Frank Lampard (capt), Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young.

Source: AFP