Roy Hodgson has contradicted the verdict of Liverpool’s head of sports medicine, Dr Peter Brukner, insisting Steven Gerrard will not be fit for the Weekend Trip to Newcastle.
Brukner gave a positive verdict on Gerrard’s fitness on November 30, revealing the Liverpool skipper was on course to make a return from a hamstring tear at St James’ Park.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Brukner said: “Steven’s going well. He’s back running, though not back in training. He’s certainly looking good to play the Newcastle game, which has been our target all along. We’re hoping he’ll be back in training at the start of next week. Everything’s gone to plan.”
However, Hodgson has ruled Gerrard out of the weekend encounter, insisting the following match at Fulham is a more realistic date for the midfielder’s return.
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“I don’t know where the stories came from that Gerrard would be fit for Newcastle,” said Hodgson. “We have always been thinking he would be fit to face Fulham the following weekend, it would be much too early to consider him for Newcastle.
“But he is making very good progress, which we are happy with, and he is absolutely on schedule butNewcastle was an unrealistic target.”
Meanwhile, Hodgson also revealed Daniel Agger could make a long-awaited return from a calf problem against Fulham.
“He is much better and really pushing himself beyond what we could expect him to do,” said the Reds boss. “His attitude is first class and we are targeting the Fulham game.
“The sports science people tell me it is too soon and he needs a bit longer but in my conversations with him he is in agreement that Fulham is not out of the question and he is pushing for it.”
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