Gerrard out of final qualifier

Steven Gerrard has been ruled out of England’s final World Cup qualifier, against Belarus on Wednesday, with a groin injury.

The Liverpool captain suffered the the injury during Saturday’s 1-0 defeat in Ukraine and was unable to complete a training session with the rest of the squad on the eve of the match.

England boss Fabio Capello said: “He didn’t finish training because the pain was the same as yesterday. He’s going back to Liverpool.”

Portsmouth goalkeeper David James is also a doubt for the Wembley match after missing training with a knee problem. Capello said he would decide on whether James could play on Wednesday.

West Ham’s Robert Green started in goal in the Ukraine but is suspended after being sent off in what was England’s first competitive defeat under Capello.

England had already booked their place in the World Cup finals prior to Saturday after winning their first eight matches in group six.