England duo glad to be back
September 22, 2011 14:10:16 UK
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard returned as a substitute against Brighton.England midfielders Owen Hargreaves and Steven Gerrard both enjoyed successful returns to action during Wednesday night's Carling Cup third round matches.
Hargreaves marked his Manchester City bow with a goal in the 2-0 win over holders Birmingham City, lasting nearly an hour before being replaced by James Milner.
I am just happy to be back as I never anticipated in my life I would be out for three years.
Owen Hargreaves
The former Manchester United and Bayern Munich man is now 9/2 to be included in England's squad for the European Championship finals next summer.
Meanwhile, Gerrard entered the fray 15 minutes from time in Liverpool's 2-1 win at Brighton, having been sidelined since March by a groin problem which required surgery.
Hargreaves told his club's official website after a first senior outing since November 2010: "It feels good to get the first game out of the way. We had a training game last week and I played for an hour, but this was the first official one.
"I don't think people would believe me if I said everything that went on, but I am just happy to be back as I never anticipated in my life I would be out for three years."
Meanwhile, Gerrard was delighted to be back in the fold with the Reds, who were pushed hard by the Championship high-flyers.
He told his club's official website: "It's been a nightmare for me. I'm not the best when I'm out injured and watching games.
"It's been tough and the last six months have been a rollercoaster, but it's behind me now and I'm looking forward to getting match fit and getting back in the starting line-up."
After their respective wins, City are 51.00 to win the Carling Cup, while Liverpool are 1.11, with the Reds 501.00 to finish in the top four in the Premier League.
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