Rafael Benitez has offered cautious backing to England's handling of Steven Gerrard - but the Liverpool manager will not breathe completely easily until his inspirational captain turns out against Portsmouth at Fratton Park this weekend.
Benitez waved Gerrard off on England duty with a severe warning over the player's fitness.
After expressing doubts over Gerrard's ability to play two matches in four days so soon after breaking a toe, Benitez warned England counterpart Steve McClaren he would not allow his captain to have a pain-killing injection to get him through the double-header with Israel and Russia.
In the end, Gerrard did not require a jab and played a major role in successive 3-0 wins which have put England firmly on course for a place at Euro 2008.
Benitez and his backroom staff remained in contact with the Football Association throughout the last 10 days, so, in theory, there should be no problem with Gerrard's fitness.
But the 27-year-old will undergo further tests anyway, just to be on the safe side.
"We have confidence over Steven because our doctor was talking with them (the FA) all the time," confirmed Benitez.
"Everything was under control and I was happy for him to play. Now he is a hero for England, which is positive for him and us.
"I don't want to say too much because I have a lot of respect for the England manager.
"The only thing is sometimes with a broken toe, you need to give it time.
"Now we need to get him checked by the doctor to see what the real situation is.
"If there is no pain, maybe it will not be necessary for him to have another scan."
If Gerrard is fit, he could be joined in Liverpool's starting line-up by fellow stalwart Jamie Carragher, who appears to be over the rib injury which forced him to miss the Reds' last two games.
Carragher was among a handful of first-team stars at Melwood yesterday when he pushed himself through a rigorous training session.
And, while the now-retired England international has not been given the green light just yet, it would be a major surprise if Carragher did not feature for the Premier League leaders at Portsmouth.
That in itself would be a major boost for Benitez, who recognises what an influence Carragher is on and off the pitch.
"It is important for us to have Jamie back, not just the player or his position, but because of his character," he said.
"Even before I came to Liverpool I knew Jamie was good but when you watch him in training, or in games, you can see what an inspiration he is to everyone.
"He is a player with character and passion. He can give the rest of his team-mates something different all the time."
After expressing doubts over Gerrard's ability to play two matches in four days so soon after breaking a toe, Benitez warned England counterpart Steve McClaren he would not allow his captain to have a pain-killing injection to get him through the double-header with Israel and Russia.
In the end, Gerrard did not require a jab and played a major role in successive 3-0 wins which have put England firmly on course for a place at Euro 2008.
Benitez and his backroom staff remained in contact with the Football Association throughout the last 10 days, so, in theory, there should be no problem with Gerrard's fitness.
But the 27-year-old will undergo further tests anyway, just to be on the safe side.
"We have confidence over Steven because our doctor was talking with them (the FA) all the time," confirmed Benitez.
"Everything was under control and I was happy for him to play. Now he is a hero for England, which is positive for him and us.
"I don't want to say too much because I have a lot of respect for the England manager.
"The only thing is sometimes with a broken toe, you need to give it time.
"Now we need to get him checked by the doctor to see what the real situation is.
"If there is no pain, maybe it will not be necessary for him to have another scan."
If Gerrard is fit, he could be joined in Liverpool's starting line-up by fellow stalwart Jamie Carragher, who appears to be over the rib injury which forced him to miss the Reds' last two games.
Carragher was among a handful of first-team stars at Melwood yesterday when he pushed himself through a rigorous training session.
And, while the now-retired England international has not been given the green light just yet, it would be a major surprise if Carragher did not feature for the Premier League leaders at Portsmouth.
That in itself would be a major boost for Benitez, who recognises what an influence Carragher is on and off the pitch.
"It is important for us to have Jamie back, not just the player or his position, but because of his character," he said.
"Even before I came to Liverpool I knew Jamie was good but when you watch him in training, or in games, you can see what an inspiration he is to everyone.
"He is a player with character and passion. He can give the rest of his team-mates something different all the time."
Copyright (c) Press Association
Related Articles
Postecoglou looking to A-League to 'develop young talent'
.jpeg&h=172&w=306&c=1&s=1)
Big change set to give Socceroos star new lease on life in the EPL
