Gerrard suffers grade two hamstring tear

Wembley Stadium England v France (1-2) Friendly International 17/11/2010 Disappointment for Steven Gerrard (England) goes down injured and has to be substitiuted Photo: Roger Parker Fotosports International Photo via Newscom

Liverpool look set to be without captain Steven Gerrard until the festive fixture list after the midfielder suffered a grade two tear to his hamstring in the closing moments of England’s 2-1 defeat to France at Wembley Stadium last night.

Despite requests from Liverpool for Gerrard to play no more than an hour of action in the international friendly, manager Fabio Capello played Gerrard for 85 minutes of the game, before injury forced the 30-year-old off.

Gerrard underwent a scan back on Merseyside on Thursday, revealing bad news.

The club’s medical cheif Dr Peter Brukner said, “He’s been for an early assessment and it certainly looks like a significant hamstring injury.”

The club’s fitness coach Darren Burgess used Twitter to voice his frustration at Capello’s actions last night.

He said, “Unbelievable from all associated with England and English FA with regard to Steven Gerrard‘s injury. Completely ignored agreement and past history.

“Completely amateurish and now we pay for their incompetence. Absolutely disgraceful.”

The news comes as another big blow for Roy Hodgson’s side, with Gerrard joint top scorer and the team going through a torrid run of form.

Since the opening day of the season, all of Liverpool’s Premier League goals have involved Gerrard or Fernando Torres.

The Reds now face West Ham in the league on Saturday. Kick-off is 5.30pm.