Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez expects to have captain and talisman Steven Gerrard back in action within a week.

There was controversy this week when Benitez revealed Gerrard would not be available for England. England manager Fabio Capello insisted the midfielder be examined by his own medical personnel before he concurred with Liverpool's assessment.

Benitez said: "We had to do a scan after the Bolton game because Steven said he had some pain in his groin.

"It is not a massive problem and we hope he will be ready to return in seven to 10 days."

FA director of communications Adrian Bevington added: "It's just very unfortunate that we've got a lot of players who are regulars in the squad who are not around.

"The fact is that players have been down and have been assessed and we are satisfied that these players have legitimate injuries.

"The medical scans show it up, so there shouldn't be any suggestion or innuendo otherwise. The players are absolutely gutted that they are not able to play for England in Berlin on Wednesday night."