11 June,2014 08:06 AM IST | | AFP
England captain Steven Gerrard managed only light training on Monday ahead of the World Cup as he struggled with what was termed as a minor groin strain
England skipper Steven Gerrard. Pic/Getty Images
Rio de Janeiro: England captain Steven Gerrard managed only light training on Monday ahead of the World Cup as he struggled with what was termed as a minor groin strain.
England skipper Steven Gerrard. Pic/Getty Images
Gerrard, 34, did only a few runs down the touchline as the main squad was put through a punishing schedule at the Urca military base in Rio de Janeiro.
The Liverpool midfielder went inside before the end of the session. England staff said it was a minor ailment and they had no doubt Gerrard would be ready for England's first Group D match against Italy on Saturday.
Gerrard missed half of England's 0-0 draw with Honduras on Saturday as a precaution.
Hodgson: He's fine
However, manager Roy Hodgson also allayed fears about the fitness of captain Gerrard.
"We did a training session where the players who didn't play on Saturday (against Honduras) trained, and some of the others did a warm-down session," Hodgson said.
"Steven did some extra work at the end of that training session. There's nothing wrong with him and I don't understand that story at all."