Steven Gerrard has effectively ruled himself out of England's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier with Montenegro on Friday after admitting he is short of peak fitness.

Fabio Capello will be at Goodison Park on Saturday to check on the Liverpool midfielder following his recovery from a groin problem but Gerrard will start against Everton on the bench.

There is a chance Capello could select Gerrard, 31, in his squad on Sunday night but the midfielder has told the Italian he is not ready.

On his way back: Steven Gerrard (left) trains on Friday at Anfield

'I think everyone knows I'm still not 100 per cent match fit,' said the dynamic midfielder, who will report for international duty if he is asked.

'I have only probably had two 12-minute games. I'm not really sure how much I'm going to play against Everton so, in my opinion, it's probably still a bit too early.

'I don't make the decisions. Those decisions are down to the England manager, whether he picks me or not.

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