Soccer

Gerrard cleared to travel with England

Soccer: Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has been cleared to travel to Sweden after a precautionary scan on a knee injury…

Mon Nov 12 2012 - 00:00

Soccer:Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has been cleared to travel to Sweden after a precautionary scan on a knee injury this afternoon.

Gerrard suffered the injury during yesterday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but was still expected to travel with the England squad for their friendly on Wednesday night.

If Gerrard plays in Stockholm he will win his 100th cap, becoming the sixth player to reach the landmark after Bobby Moore, Peter Shilton, David Beckham, Bobby Charlton and Billy Wright.

Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge paid tribute to Gerrard, saying: “He is a great player and has been fantastic with me when I’ve been in the squad. If you ask any midfielder who has played against him they will say he’s a great player. For them to say he is such a great player and to be on 99 caps is a huge achievement and hopefully he will win his 100th cap on Wednesday.”

READ MORE

At the other end of the experience spectrum, Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha has been called into the senior squad for the first time, and Sturridge has already been impressed by what he has seen.

“I’ve watched him a few times, he is very talented and looked sharp in training today,” Sturridge added. “He has a lot of skills and I am looking forward to playing with him. I think it’s a great vote of confidence from the manager to pick him even though he’s playing in the championship. I’m sure that’s given him a lot of confidence.”

As for his own position, Sturridge admitted it can be frustrating to not play as often as he would like for Chelsea, but is grateful for the opportunity to show England manager Roy Hodgson what he is capable of.

“It’s a lot more difficult when you are not playing regularly but I try to train well and as hard as I can and just wait for the opportunities,” he added. “I am thankful for the manager choosing me and giving me the showcase to show what I am capable of.

“When he got the job he made it clear it was not always about players who are starting for the team and if he believes in you he will choose you for his squad.”