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England and Liverpool fans got a brief scare when faced with reports that Steven Gerrard had left training early as a precautionary measure after feeling a tightness in his groin. According to Roy Hodgson, though, the England and Liverpool captain has no injury issues—nothing mild, nothing niggling, and nothing requiring preventative rest. According to the England manager, Gerrard stayed until the end of training and has no issues.
"I don't really understand that one," said Hodgson when he was asked about reports of a possible injury to his captian. "Yesterday we did a training session where the players who played did a warmdown session and I worked with the nine who didn't take part. The other group [including Gerrard] did some extra work and the end of the session and there is nothing wrong with Steven—so I don't really understand that story at all."
Taken at face value at least, it's good news for club and country on the Gerrard front, then, and any concerns about his re-aggravating a groin injury that has bothered him off and on in recent seasons are misplaced. Hodgson further suggested that the injured Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be fit enough to play against Uruguay on the 19th, though he won't be ready when England kick off their World Cup against Italy on Saturday.
