England sent Steven Gerrard back to Liverpool for treatment Monday after being satisfied he isn't fit to play in a friendly with Germany due to a leg muscle injury. Even though Liverpool announced on Sunday that Gerrard's injury would keep him out of action for up to 10 days, the Football Association ordered the Reds captain to report to England training headquarters north of London on Monday so that coach Fabio Capello and his medical team could assess the injury. Wednesday's games have reopened the club vs. country debate, with national team coaches skeptical when club managers pull their star players out of matches. Club managers are unhappy that their players often return from international games with injuries, while the national coaches are frustrated that they can't field their strongest lineups in friendlies. Liverpool issued a statement on Sunday saying Gerrard had picked up a leg muscle injury in Saturday's 2-0 victory at Bolton. “A scan this morning has confirmed a tear in the adductor magnus muscle in his right leg, and he is expected to be out between seven to 10 days,” said Liverpool spokesman Ian Cotton. The FA later issued its own statement saying Capello's medical team wanted to see the midfielder to assess the injury. Frank Lampard also was ruled out but the fitness of England captain John Terry was also assessed and he was declared fit to travel to Berlin to face the Germans. Chelsea said the defender had picked up a foot injury in Saturday's 3-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion. The absence of Gerrard and Lampard weakens the England lineup in Berlin even further after the withdrawals of strikers Wayne Rooney and Emile Heskey, centerback Rio Ferdinand, leftback Ashley Cole, midfielders Joe Cole and Owen Hargreaves and backup goalkeeper Joe Hart. Midfielders Jimmy Bullard of Fulham and Scott Parker of West Ham have been called into the squad, and there is a return for Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson.
