Source: Daily_Mail
Hodgson short of midfield options: Gerrard out and Lucas suspended for West Ham clash
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has to find a solution to growing problems in central midfield after learning he is likely to be without captain Steven Gerrard for the next month.[LNB]The 30-year-old has been sidelined by a grade two hamstring tear sustained in England's midweek defeat to France, when he played 25 minutes longer than had previously been agreed.[LNB]With Lucas Leiva suspended for tomorrow's visit of Barclays Premier League bottom side West Ham and summer signing Christian Poulsen struggling to settle in Hodgson has some switching around to do.[LNB] Problem: The Liverpool manager will be without Steven Gerrard and Lucas Levia in the centre of midfield against West Ham[LNB] One option would be to play Raul Meireles in his preferred central position - something the Reds boss has been reluctant to do as he allows the Portugal international time to adjust having joined in August.[LNB]Option: Portuguese international Raul Meireles has played mainly on the right of Liverpool's midfield but could be ushered infield[LNB] But even if he can back up some encouraging performances wide on the right with similar displays through the middle it is going to be difficult to fill the hole left by Gerrard.[LNB]Poulsen, 30, has insisted he will improve but despite being an experienced Denmark international with 80 caps he can only provide defensive cover.[LNB]'There has been a lot of pressure because the start to the season hasn't been so good but everything is in place for me to try to get back into the team and make an impact on Liverpool's season,' he said.[LNB]'I knew that I was coming to a big club and that competition for places in the team would be very tough.[LNB]'I don't think the Liverpool fans have seen the true me yet. I hope we can move further up in the table and I really want to play a big part in it.'[LNB]Gerrard's absence is a huge blow but Hodgson has at least had some good news on the injury front with strikers Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt (both ankle) and defenders Martin Skrtel (ankle and knee) and Glen Johnson (groin) all declared fit.[LNB]However, any hope Joe Cole could return against his former club to bring some much-needed creativity have been quashed by Liverpool's head of sports medicine and sports science Peter Brukner.[LNB]'Joe will need another week. He's nearly there but his hamstring just hasn't come good as quickly as we might have hoped,' he said.[LNB]'He'll be back in full training at the start of next week and we'd anticipate he'll be available for the Tottenham game on Sunday week.'[LNB] Ex-Liverpool owner Gillett to be sued for 'not paying back £73m' to lenderFA agree to pay Liverpool £500,000 in compensation for Gerrard's hamstring injury suffered on England dutyWe can cope without Gerrard! Carra calls for struggling Liverpool to step upCLICK HERE FOR ALL THE LATEST LIVERPOOL NEWS[LNB] Explore more:People: Glen Johnson, Joe Cole, Roy Hodgson, Dirk Kuyt, Christian Poulsen, Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Martin Skrtel Places: Liverpool, France, Portugal, Denmark, United Kingdom
