Gerrard set for surgery

Reds ace set for short spell on the sidelines

By James Pearson   Last updated: 29th August 2008

Steven Gerrard Liverpool

Gerrard: Booked for groin op

It's not serious, but we need to do it. He has been playing some games in pain, not being 100 percent fit.

Benitez on Gerrard
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Liverpool's Steven Gerrard is set to miss England's upcoming 2010 World Cup qualifiers after being booked in for groin surgery.

The Reds' talismanic midfielder managed all 120 minutes of Liverpool's last-gasp success over Standard Liege on Wednesday, but looked well short of his best.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has now confirmed the England international will need an operation - stating it is best to do it sooner rather than later.

England kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign with away matches against Andorra and Croatia early next month, games Gerrard is now likely to miss.

Groin operation

"(Gerrard) has a groin problem so he will have an operation and could be out for 10 to 15 days," explained Benitez.

"It's not serious, but we need to do it. He has been playing some games in pain, not being 100 percent fit.

"He had a problem for the first leg with Liege and when he went away with England for the friendly last week against the Czech Republic.

"We talked with the doctor yesterday and today and it was decided that Steven would play in this match with the pain, but now we will have to get the situation solved."

World Cup Group 6 Win Outright: England 1/7