Soccer:Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will miss the club's pre-season tour of Asia which starts on Sunday so he can regain full fitness for the start of the Premier League season. Gerrard, who missed the end of last season because of a groin injury which needed surgery, will continue his rehabilitation programme at their Melwood training ground.

Liverpool play in China and Malaysia and will also spend time training in Singapore during their eight-day stay in the Far East. Gerrard underwent an operation in early March to correct a troublesome groin problem which had been affecting him for some months.

He was ruled out for the remainder of the season and last month Gerrard hinted he may not be fully fit for Liverpool’s early friendlies. Gerrard returned to training with the rest of the squad at Melwood yesterday but was not involved with the main group of players.

“Steven and the medical team have done fantastically well so far and they are in the final stages of getting him back to full training,” said manager Kenny Dalglish.

“I’m sure there will be supporters disappointed that Steven is unable to be with us in Asia, but I’m sure the same people will appreciate the importance of Steven giving himself the best possible opportunity of being fit to play against Sunderland on the opening day of the new campaign.

“Steven continuing his rehabilitation programme at Melwood is in everybody’s long term interests.”