STEVEN GERRARD INJURED ON 11 MAY 2002                         World Cup football home page
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 *** The latest news on the injury is at the bottom of this page ***
 

Steven Gerrard, who was included in the England squad on May 9, limped off with a groin injury after 33 minutes in Liverpool's 5-0 win against Ipswich on 11 May 2002. Just after the match, Liverpool's manager Gerrard Houllier said that it was the same groin problem that he has had before. "We told the players not to take any risks. If they felt anything they were to come off, and Steven felt a pull. Hopefully he will be fine for England" said Houllier.

However, on 12 May Sven-Goran Eriksson (England manager) said that Gerrard was to see a surgeon in Belgium and may need an operation immediately which would mean he was not available for the World Cup - this news should be known on either 13 May or 14 May.

 It would be a massive blow if Steven Gerrard was not available for the World Cup as he is one of the best midfield players in the World. The England squad has already been hit with more than its fair share of injuries.    

                                                                  


 

On 13 May, Houllier (Liverpool manager) said that he now didn't think that Steven Gerrard would make the World Cup. "He may now have to go through an operation and I would be very surprised if he made the tournament" said Houllier.

On 14 May, it was confirmed that Steven Gerrard had been ruled out of the World Cup 2002. As a results of visiting a specialist the day before, scans revealed that he would need surgery to sort out his groin injury - he should have the operation later this week. Steven Gerrard said "the rehabilitation period for this sort of operation is six weeks so obviously I am going to miss the World Cup, which is a massive disappointment".

Losing Steven Gerrard could unfortunately have a major impact on England's World Cup chances.

First reserve Danny Murphy and second reserve Trevor Sinclair had already been called up to the squad to replace the injured Kieron Dyer and Steven Gerrard. Both Murphy and Sinclair travelled with the other 21 members of the squad to Dubai on 13 May for a pre-World Cup get together.