Gerrard closes Barton row chapter

STEVEN GERRARD has dismissed reports of a rift with Joey Barton and insisted his fellow Merseysider is “my type of player”.

Barton hit the headlines recently when he criticised the number of England stars who cashed in on a dismal World Cup performance by releasing lucrative autobiographies.

The Manchester City midfielder then went even further, questioning whether the likes of Gerrard and Frank Lampard had the same work ethic as he did after revealing he had risen at 6am on holiday to go running.

Barton’s questioning of Gerrard was particularly surprising given that the pair grew up on adjoining council estates and are thought to be friends.

While Lampard responded with his own stinging riposte to Barton, Gerrard has kept his counsel and has not yet spoken to the player about his comments.

The Liverpool man, who will lead his country in the absence of John Terry against Spain tomorrow, admits he will have a joke at Barton’s expense prior to the Old Trafford encounter but insisted there is no resentment.

Although Barton could make his debut at Old Trafford, his involvement is almost certain to be limited to that of substitute — with Gerrard, Lampard and Michael Carrick set to keep their places.

Elsewhere, though, coach Steve McClaren has a few selection posers to address. Despite the fact John Terry trained yesterday and Jonathan Woodgate did not, the Middlesbrough man is expected to end his three-year international exile. FA officials confirmed Woodgate’s absence was nothing more than a precaution, and the defender is expected to play a full part in tomorrow’s session.

Woodgate could yet be joined in defence by Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry, whose chances of a start rose suddenly when Wayne Bridge headed to the touchline for treatment after just 15 minutes of training at Manchester United’s Carrington headquarters.

Apart from Rio Ferdinand and Paul Robinson, none of the players who featured in United’s 4-0 win over Tottenham were present — including Wayne Rooney, who has been cleared to link up with the England squad by the Red Devils despite picking up an ankle injury at White Hart Lane.

Because Andrew Johnson has withdrawn from the squad with an ankle injury, Kieron Dyer would probably be the main beneficiary should Rooney not make it either. Dyer may play anyway, especially if McClaren opts to stick with the 4-3-3 formation which served him so well in Holland last November — with Aaron Lennon’s pace ensuring he is handed a starting role.

It means Peter Crouch could miss out, despite being the only orthodox striker among the 17 players who did actually make it on to the training field this afternoon — Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland was another non-attendee.