Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard handed England a huge boost yesterday when he returned to training with the national side.

Gerrard's fitness has been the subject of intense debate in the build-up to Saturday's crucial Euro 2008 clash with Israel at Wembley.

Despite playing only once since breaking a toe in Liverpool's Champions League qualifying round win in Toulouse last month, the 26-year-old midfielder has assured McClaren he will be fit for the weekend.

McClaren has pointedly refused to rule out the option of giving Gerrard a pain-killing injection to get him through the match, providing there was no long-term risk to the player, even though Reds boss Rafael Benitez has urged England not to.

However, all parties recognise it would be better if Gerrard was able to get through the game without resorting to such measures.

And, after missing training on Tuesday, there was some good news emerging from England's Hertfordshire headquarters last night, with confirmation Gerrard was finally able to join his team-mates in their preparation for Saturday's game.

''Steven Gerrard played a part in training today,'' said a statement issued by the FA.

''He will be continually assessed by the England medical staff and a decision on his fitness for Saturday's game will be taken later in the week.''

Meanwhile, former England physio Fred Street says Gerrard should have the final decision on whether to have a painkilling injection.

McClaren is prepared to defy the wishes of Gerrard's Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez but Street, England's physio for 22 years, said: ''It comes down to the patient in the end.

''The player is the patient. He's got to decide whether he is agreeable to having it numbed.

''But there is a risk, players can get stood on with big toe injuries and while the injection numbs the pain for two hours, it can get a bit sore afterwards.

''There is no danger, it is only an anaesthetic, but the risk is that he might miss the next game. It is a club-versus-country issue again."