Dalglish urges Capello to use his intelligence over Steven Gerrard

KENNY DALGLISH wants Fabio Capello to use his 'intelligence' when Steven Gerrard reports for England duty.

Gerrard is set to feature in the Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro on October 7 after a short but successful return with Liverpool after six months out with a groin injury.

But Kop boss Dalglish is anxious to avoid another furious club-versus-country row over his skipper.

Midfielder Gerrard, 31, suffered a hamstring injury towards the end of England's 2-1 friendly defeat to France last November.

It sparked an angry reaction from Anfield as they had expected Gerrard to play no more than an hour. Darren Burgess, Liverpool's head of fitness and conditioning, expressed his disgust on Twitter.

He wrote: "Unbelievable from all associated with England and English FA with regards to SG's injury.

"Completely ignored agreement and past history. Completely amateurish and now we pay for their incompetence. Absolutely disgraceful."

Now Dalglish wants Capello to go softly softly with Gerrard, who emerged unscathed after playing the last 15 minutes of Wednesday's 2-1 Carling Cup win at Brighton.

Dalglish said: "I don't pick England's team. But I would just hope that they're as intelligent as we have been." 

source: Thesun.co.uk

Capello takes issue with Gerrard injury claim

England coach Fabio Capello has risked the wrath of Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez after forcing Steven Gerrard to report for duty ahead of Wednesday's friendly in Germany, despite being declared unfit by his club.

Gerrard sustained a minor groin injury at Bolton Wanderer's on Saturday and Liverpool's doctors ruled him out of the international match in Berlin.

But Capello has ordered Gerrard to undertake the 200-mile journey to England's Hertfordshire team hotel, where he is being assessed by Football Association medical staff before a final decision on his availability is reached on Monday.

Chelsea and England captain John Terry is also being assessed following the foot injury he sustained during Chelsea's 3-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion.

An FA spokesman said: "John Terry and Steven Gerrard have both reported to the team hotel tonight [Sunday] and will be assessed tomorrow [Monday] by the England medical staff."

The decision to assess Gerrard will no doubt open a club versus country row and the crunch will come if England's doctor's declare the Liverpool skipper fit to play in Germany.

This is the first time that Capello has exercised his right under FIFA rules to have his own medical staff examine a player whose club claim is injured.

With the likes of Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney ruled out before the Italian named his 23-man party and Joe Hart, Gerrard and possibly Terry pulling out before the Three Lions have begun a training session, Capello's efforts at maintaining the momentum built up by four straight World Cup qualifying wins have been cruelly undermined.