Gerrard misses England training

Steven Gerrard was among four high-profile absentees from training this morning as the debate over his availability for England’s crucial Euro 2008 double-header with Israel and Russia continues.

The Liverpool captain has played only once since breaking a toe against Toulouse three weeks ago and Reds boss Rafael Benitez has expressed doubt as to whether Gerrard will be fit for both games, when England will require a minimum of four points to retain any realistic hope of reaching the European Championship finals in Austria and Switzerland next summer.