STEVEN GERRARD faces a race against time to be fit for Liverpool FC’s double-header against title-chasing duo Chelsea and Manchester City later this month after the extent of his latest injury setback became clear.

It was confirmed yesterday Gerrard has undergone treatment to clear our all infection from his right ankle after the problem flared up before last Saturday’s Premier League trip to West Bromwich Albion.

The Liverpool skipper was on crutches at the weekend and his leg has been placed in a protective plaster cast as the wound heals.

Gerrard will definitely miss Saturday’s Anfield visit of Swansea City and has also been ruled out of England’s Wembley friendlies against Spain and Sweden.

And with the player now undergoing a rehabilitation programme at Melwood, he is a doubt for Liverpool’s trip to Chelsea on November 20 and the home clash with Manchester City seven days later.

Gerrard has been dogged by injury during the calendar year, and has completed a full 90 minutes only seven times since Kenny Dalglish assumed control in January.

The 31-year-old missed more than six months after undergoing a groin operation in March, which was complicated further by an infection in August.

Despite the absence of both Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to seven games with a 2-0 win at West Brom on Saturday.

Luis Suarez, who won the penalty for Charlie Adam’s opener, and Andy Carroll, scorer of Liverpool’s second, were partnered in attack for the fourth time in the last six games.

And Anfield manager Dalglish believes the strike duo are starting to forge an understanding.

“Andy and Luis again played well together,” said the Scot. “The more they play and train together, the more their partnership improves.

“Andy took his goal well and the move that led to it was excellent.

“Another pleasing part of the win was the clean sheet we kept. We hadn’t had one in the league for a few weeks so it’s good to get another.”