Rafa may do without star duo

27 February 2009 15:22
oth Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard could be missing from Rafa Benitez's starting XI against Middlesbrough on Saturday.[LNB] The Reds have had to contend without their dynamic duo for large parts this season with both star performers enduring injury-pestered campaigns.[LNB]Gerrard has been on the sidelines with a hamstring injury sustained against Everton last month, but the Liverpool captain returned to action on Wednesday for a cameo appearance in his side's first leg victory at Real Madrid.[LNB]But the midfielder's return was marred by the substitution of Torres, also plagued by hamstring trouble this term, who exited the field gingerly with an ankle complaint.[LNB]And the Reds boss, whose future in Merseyside looks much brighter in the wake of chief executive Rick Parry's impending departure[LNB], confirmed his Spanish striker is out with a twisted ankle.[LNB]Unavailable"Torres is not fit and won't be in the squad," Benitez told the club's official website.[LNB]"It is a problem he has had before and we will have to check over the weekend to see if he is available for Sunderland." [LNB]On Gerrard's role for the weekend trip to the North East, the Reds boss added: "Gerrard is much better. He was training. I've spoken to him and the doctor. If we decide to use him it's because we've decided it's not a risk.[LNB]"But we still have time to decide. We'll talk some more today and decide on Saturday." [LNB]Centre-back Daniel Agger again misses out with a back injury as the title challengers aim to close the seven-point gap between them and league leaders Manchester United.[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports