BENITEZ READY TO GO TO WAR WITH CAPELLO

RAFA BENITEZ will go to war with Fabio Capello if he names Steven Gerrard in today's England squad.

The Liverpool manager says Gerrard could face Birmingham tomorrow night, but is definitely OUT of the international friendly with Brazil.

Benitez has effectively ordered Capello not to pick his skipper for the trip to Doha, even if his talisman makes his Anfield comeback.

But Capello is not concerned at what he believes to be Benitez's posturing. If Gerrard plays against Birmingham, the Italian WILL pick the midfield star.

And in a move which could further inflame club versus country tensions, Benitez says Glen Johnson should also be left out of the friendly with Brazil.

That's despite the right back recovering from a calf strain and returning to the Liverpool squad for their Premier League clash.

Benitez is still seething that Gerrard aggravated his groin problem on international duty.

The Liverpool skipper returned to training on Friday but is still not 100 per cent. A two week break may ensure ensure he doesn't need surgery.

But while Benitez says he has a right to risk Gerrard's fitness, he says Capello must use 'common sense'.

Benitez said: "I don't see the point of taking a player who has not trained with his team for 15 days.

"If he plays on Monday it will be because we have pushed and pushed him, but you cannot tell me when he has not trained with us for 15 days that he is fit.

"He can be available maybe if everything is ok but he is not match fit.

"So to play friendlies with him when England have already qualified, I would be really surprised.

"I will be really surprised to see my players playing friendlies when they are not fit for my team.

"There has been no agreement but it is just common sense. Common sense is just something you have to use.

"I am sure that they understand. I hope common sense will prevail.

"Our doctor is in contact with England doctors so they know the situation." Gerrard has managed just 15 minutes of action since the last international break and Liverpool's season has begun to disintegrate in his absence.

After the devastating Champions League result in midweek, Benitez is preparing to gamble on his captain's fitness.

He said: "We need to perform and when you have big players you sometimes have to take the risk.

"Maybe he has to be on the bench and we can use him that way.

"If a player is not fit but is really good, maybe he can make a difference."

Benitez has already negotiated an international weekend off for star striker Fernando Torres with Spanish boss Vincente Del Bosque.

He said: "I was talking with their technical director Fernando Hierro and their fitness coach and I explained the situation.

"They know exactly what is going on and understand it will be very difficult to pick a player who is not 100 per cent when they have already qualified so I do not expect him to be picked.

"Fernando was seen by specialists in Spain, our medical staff and myself and we know what the situation is now.

"He has to carry on working with the physios.

"Maybe he can play against Birmingham. He is much better now than he was two or three weeks ago so if he carries on and works with the physios during the international break and keeps improving then he can hopefully carry on this season.

"I have had some players in the past in different teams who were working on their injury and playing during the season without any problem so we can control it.

"He has to work very hard but he can do it."

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