Steven Gerrard ready for Russian roulette

Sep 10 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

STEVEN GERRARD last night praised the international return of former Liverpool team-mate Emile Heskey – after declaring himself fit for England’s crucial showdown with Russia on Wednesday.

The Anfield skipper played without a pain-killing injection on Saturday to help Steve McClaren’s side earn a vital 3-0 win against Israel in their Euro 2008 qualifier.

Gerrard, who had been absent for three weeks with a broken toe, caused concern when he limped off with 19 minutes remaining.

But the 27-year-old allayed fears he could be absent from the midweek Wembley encounter with Russia while urging England to build on Saturday’s encouraging victory.

“The foot is fine,” said Gerrard. “I just went down with a bit of cramp, which is down to a lack of match practice over the last two or three weeks.

“I’ve only trained for a couple of days so I was getting a bit tired after 65-70 minutes, but it’s nothing to worry about, just a bit of cramp.

“I’ll probably have stiff calves from the cramp, but the toe is fine.”

Of Saturday’s game, Gerrard added: “We’re positive with the performance. It’s a good three points, but it’s important that we don’t get carried away.

“We realise that Russia is going to be a tougher test on Wednesday and we need to forget about Israel now, take the positives and build on them and hopefully we’ll get the same outcome.”

Shaun Wright-Phillips, Michael Owen and Micah Richards scored the goals to secure England’s first win at the new Wembley and move them up to third place in Group E.

Owen was partnered in attack by ex-Liverpool colleague Heskey for the first time at international level in more than four years.

And Gerrard moved to salute Heskey’s return to the England fold, with the Wigan Athletic man an impressive performer while earning his first cap since June 2004.

“I was really pleased that, with Crouchy being suspended, the manager brought Emile in,” said Gerrard. “I know him inside out. He’s a players’ player. You appreciate Emile Heskey when you’re out there with him.

“He does an awful lot of work that goes unnoticed and I thought we got a lot of bits off him and I thought he put in a positive performance.

“It’s also nice to see Michael getting his goals and getting a few chances. I thought he scored the hardest one actually, but Michael Owen is a great goalscorer and hopefully he can deliver the same on Wednesday.”

Meanwhile, Israel manager Dror Kashtan claimed Dutch referee Peter Vink made an objectionable remark to Israel captain, Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun, but would not elaborate on what it was.

Kashtan said: “He used certain sentences to our captain which are not worthy of an official. These are not excuses, these are simple facts.

Kashtan, however, praised England’s physical presence, especially that of Heskey.

“It was tough containing Emile Heskey,” he said.