Home>News Center>Sports
         
 

Gerrard foot injury makes him the fifth in Eriksson squad
(The Sun)
Updated: 2004-09-22 14:16

Steven Gerrard’s broken metatarsal makes him the fifth of Sven Goran Eriksson’s squad to suffer such an injury in the past couple of years.

Skipper David Beckham, Gary Neville, Danny Murphy and Wayne Rooney have all fractured bones in their feet in the last two years.

And now Gerrard, 24, who suffered his injury twisting to take a pass from Xabi Alonso in Monday’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester United.

X-rays confirmed the break and the fears are he will be out for three months.

That would rule him out of Liverpool’s Champions League group games and England’s World Cup double-header against Wales and Azerbaijan next month.

Gerrard has broken his fifth metatarsal, the tiny bone midway down the little toe which is notorious for being a poor healer.

Everton physio Mick Rath- bone, who treated Rooney before the striker’s move to Old Trafford, reckons the demands of modern-day football hold the key.

He said: “When I was a player in the 1970s and 80s, I don’t remember anyone getting that kind of injury.

“Maybe the game is much quicker, putting more stress on players to twist and turn faster. That places greater stress on all bones in the foot.”

Gerrard’s blow is the lengthiest and most serious of his career, after overcoming a series of niggling problems a couple of years ago.

And the midfielder admitted: “It is bad timing because we are starting with a new manager, working on different things. It is a bit of a learning process for the players.”

At least Kop fans can take a crumb of comfort from the fact that Gerrard’s injury is not the devastating blow it would have been a year ago.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez insists his new-look squad has more strength in depth than before.

Benitez splashed out £10.7million to land Alonso from Real Sociedad and the Spaniard will be pushed forward in the captain’s absence.

 



 
  Today's Top News     Top Sports News
 

FM spokesman: UN is not a "board of directors"

 

   
 

Wen: China supports Russia to fight terrors

 

   
 

Yukos called to honour oil commitments

 

   
 

Website: 2nd US hostage killed in Iraq

 

   
 

Border issue solved with Kyrgyzstan

 

   
 

US Fed raises rates for third time

 

   
  Dalian Shide crashed out in AFC Champions League
   
  Bateer to join Knicks, agent says
   
  Man City win big, Sun Jihai mediocre
   
  China still top-ranked in medal standings
   
  Beckham free kick eases Real crisis
   
  Utah Jazz to Retire Stockton's Number
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
Kewell delights in Spanish influence at Liverpool
   
England midfielder Gerrard to stay in Liverpool
   
Players to be consulted over new Liverpool coach
   
Liverpool dismiss manager Houllier
Advertisement