If he isn't fit to play for club then he isn't fit to play for country. If Liverpool had a game this coming Saturday would he be playing? Highly unlikely by the sounds of it so why should he then be playing for England.
The FA's have too much weight and influence in these matters. This rule about not being able to play the next again weekends fixtures if you missed the midweek game is bollocks IMO. If it works that way it should also work in the reverse in that if he missed the weekends games then he shouldn't be considered for the coming international games?
The national FA's have everything in their favour - they get first shout on the player but don't pay his wages, thats not right.
Considering Gerrard has already missed some game, Liverpool feel that he isn't ready then surely the obvious action for Gerrard to become fully fit is another week of rest and recuperation. Forcing him into some game when he is not fully fit is an accident waiting to happen. Surely a fully fit player will be better than a not fully fit player?
Gerrard should take the decision himself and declare that he is not fully fit, and pull out of the squad. Those extra few days rest between now and the next fixtures could be the difference between this injury going away and remaining as a "niggle" between now and Xmas or whenever.
Of course Gerrard won't pull out of the squad but in that case Liverpool, his employers who pay his salary, and whom I sure have a very competent set of medical staff, should make the decision for him.
Anyway, in light of Emile being back, surely Carlton Palmer could be called up as an entirely adequate replacement
