Gerrard set for Middlesbrough return

With Michael Owen still struggling for full fitness, Gerrard's latest injury doubt - especially with it being a recurrence of a back injury that plagued the player's early career - was greeted with great concern at Anfield.

The 23-year-old, however, is thought to have withdrawn from Sunday's clash with Denmark at Old Trafford as a mere precaution and would have took to the field for Sven Goran Eriksson's men had the match been a competitive fixture.