England boss wants Gerrard to play

Steve McClaren could defy Rafael Benitez and give Steven Gerrard a pain-killing injection so he can play in England's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel.Benitez has cautioned against the Liverpool skipper having a jab to get him through Saturday's game at Wembley, claiming it took the 27-year-old midfielder'four or five days' to get over the one he had prior to the Reds' 1-1 draw with Chelsea.But with Frank Lampard already ruled out of the Israel game, McClaren is desperate for Gerrard to be fit to play after suffering a broken toe while playing for his club in Toulouse last month.McClaren, who is in daily contact with Benitez, said: "We're leaving it as late as possible but we want Steven on the field and we want him ready to play."We will liaise with Liverpool and we will do nothing to put the player at risk. But we will also go a lot on how Steven feels and what he wants."When asked whether he would defy Benitez, McClaren replied: "I will cross that bridge when I come to it."The England boss added: "Steven played with an injection against Chelsea a few weeks ago and I am very, very confident he will be with us on Saturday."© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

ITN | September 5, 2007

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