Liverpool manger Rafa Benitez has revealed that Steven Gerrard will not play against Derby on Saturday, but will join up with the England squad.
Gerrard has been struggling with a broken toe and missed Liverpool's UEFA Champions League qualifying round win over Toulouse on Tuesday.
However, the midfield ace has been named in England manager Steve McClaren's 26-man squad for the forthcoming European Championship qualifiers against Israel and Russia on 8th and 12th September respectively.
Benitez has admitted he is happy for the Gerrard to join the England squad so long as his club captain is not rushed back into action.
"We don't want to take any risks," Benitez told Liverpool's official website.
"If we decided to use him [Gerrard] on Saturday it would be with injections, so I think it's best we don't take the risk.
"We will be in contact with the national team because we want the same from them. He wants to play all the games but we have to be careful.
"I know how important England is for him. I will talk with Steve McClaren and the doctors will talk to the doctors."
Gerrard has been struggling with a broken toe and missed Liverpool's UEFA Champions League qualifying round win over Toulouse on Tuesday.
However, the midfield ace has been named in England manager Steve McClaren's 26-man squad for the forthcoming European Championship qualifiers against Israel and Russia on 8th and 12th September respectively.
Benitez has admitted he is happy for the Gerrard to join the England squad so long as his club captain is not rushed back into action.
"We don't want to take any risks," Benitez told Liverpool's official website.
"If we decided to use him [Gerrard] on Saturday it would be with injections, so I think it's best we don't take the risk.
"We will be in contact with the national team because we want the same from them. He wants to play all the games but we have to be careful.
"I know how important England is for him. I will talk with Steve McClaren and the doctors will talk to the doctors."