No Reds return for Gerrard
21 Nov 2008 - 14:03:50
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will miss Saturday's visit of Fulham with the groin injury which forced him to sit out England duty this week.
Reds boss Rafael Benitez has revealed that his skipper will not be available for the visit of the in-form Cottagers as he only returned to light training on Friday.
The talismanic midfielder now faces a race against time to be bit for Wednesday's Champions League visit of Marseille to Anfield.
Benitez had come under fire for allowing his skipper to play against Bolton Wanderers last weekend before making him unavailable for international duty.
"He is improving but it is still too soon for this weekend," Benitez told the club's official website.
"He is still working with the physios so he will not be fit for this game. He might be available for Wednesday but it depends on his progress.
"Hopefully we will have him back for the Marseille game."
Meanwhile, Benitez has revealed that Robbie Keane is fit after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Keane also missed international duty for the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday despite playing for the Reds last weekend.
"I think he will be okay," added Benitez. "He was training today so he should be fit for the game.
"Some of the players who have returned from international games are a little bit tired, but I think most of them will be okay for this weekend."