Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have both pulled out of England's friendly with Germany in Berlin on Wednesday.

Gerrard, the Liverpool captain, reported for duty last night despite reports suggesting he would be unavailable after suffering a groin injury at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. But a check by the FA's medical staff proved that the player was unfit to play and he has returned to Merseyside.

Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, says Gerrard is facing a race against time to be fit for the Champions League group game with Marseille a week on Wednesday.

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 ten days."

Lampard, the Chelsea midfielder, is unavailable after scans on a rib injury he picked up at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday revealed he would not be fit enough to play. Fulham's Jimmy Bullard and West Ham United's Scott Parker have been called up as cover

Gerrard, the England vice-captain, is expected to be out for between seven to 10 days, despite playing the full 90 minutes against Bolton. But his absence is not likely to impress Fabio Capello, the England manager, who was unhappy when Liverpool withdrew Gerrard from the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia to have a groin operation.

The pair's withdrawal means that England face Germany with just four of their likely first-choice line-up with Manchester United trio Wayne Rooney, Wes Brown and Rio Ferdinand, Chelsea's Ashley and Joe Cole and Wigan forward Emile Heskey all sidelined.

Joe Hart, the Manchester City goalkeeper, has also dropped out of the squad after hurting his ankle at Hull City yesterday and has been replaced by Paul Robinson.

However, Chelsea's John Terry should be available to captain the side after he completed a full training session this morning.

England (from): Carson, Robinson, James, Bridge, Davies, Johnson, Terry, Lescott, Mancienne, Richards, Upson, Barry, Carrick, Downing, Bullard, Parker, Wright-Phillips, A Young, Agbonlahor, Bent, Crouch, Defoe, Walcott.