England captain Steven Gerrard took only a restricted part in training on Monday to protect a groin injury that is hampering his 2014 World Cup preparations.

The Liverpool skipper did some shuttle runs on his own before sitting out the rest of the session, five days before England's Group D opener against Italy.

However, it is being reported that the 34-year-old midfielder's fitness for Saturday is not in doubt, and that his early withdrawal from Three Lions practice in Brazil was merely a precaution.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also had some time training away from the rest of the squad as he continues to recover from the knee injury that he sustained in the 2-2 draw against Ecuador last week.

Gerrard, who is expected to start alongside either Reds teammate Jordan Henderson or Arsenal's Jack Wilshere against the Italians, missed the 2002 World Cup because of an ongoing groin problem.