Gerrard: Time to show the special treatment is warranted (ShaunBotterill/Allsport)

In a bizarre new twist to his fitness saga, Gerrard has been told not to eat fried food and tomatoes in an attempt to solve his problems.

Sven Goran Eriksson gave permission for the Liverpool midfielder to jet across the Channel to see a leading French orthopaedic expert.

Gerrard, who made the same trip 48 hours before the UEFA Cup win over Porto last week, will fly back tonight, meeting up with the rest of the England squad after training at Wrexham.

Eriksson said: 'I know about the problem. I talked to Gerard Houllier on Sunday. The reason we talked is that Steven will come late to the squad. He has to have special treatment. He's been doing that for a few weeks.

'I'm aware of the problem. That's why we've allowed him to go. I'm happy that he'll be coming and I'm looking forward to seeing him training on Wednesday.

'I hope that he's fit for the Finland game. We know that normally he needs one extra day to recover after a game because of his problems.

'In general I'm not worried about players missing the odd session now and then. The important thing is to have the best team.'

Gerrard, 20 , has only played in two of England's 12 games since first being named - and pulling out of - the squad to meet Argentina at Wembley in February last year, because of his persistent groin and back problems.

Gerrard has been seeing the specialist on the recommendation of Houllier for the past couple of months.

But Eriksson's desperation to have the Anfield midfielder in his team against the Finns mean he is willing to bend over backwards to accommodate Gerrard.

The Swede, who denied he had reached a deal with Houllier which means Gerrard will not be expected to play against Albania next Wednesday, added: 'The problem has been that he can't play twice a week, although he seemed extremely fit against Porto last week and did very well for 30 minutes against Derby on Sunday.

'I think that sooner or later he will resolve that problem. I hope so, because he has an enormous talent. He is an all-round player, who can do everything.

'He can attack and shoot, and defend and head the ball. He has everything that a modern midfielder should have. You can play him as the defensive midfielder or more offensively inside, or outside right. He could almost play everywhere.

'I hope he will be fit for both games. They've told me he's improving and getting better. There's no agreement about him not travelling to Albania. What happens after Finland? We'll have to see on Sunday morning.'

Since his teenage years, Gerrard has been plagued by groin and back problems.

Originally put down as 'growing pains', he played just a handful of games between the age of 16 and 18. The most recent diagnosis is 'abnormal muscle growth'.

Last season, his first in the Premiership, Gerrard made only 28 starts for Liverpool, with the problem forcing him to miss out on a debut against Argentina.

His first England cap came three months later against Ukraine, and then a superb 29- minute cameo against

Germany in Charleroi established Gerrard as first choice in Kevin Keegan's mind. But an aggravation of the injury meant he missed the defeat by Romania three days later, and he was forced to pull out of the friendly in Paris in September.

The following month, he was sent home just 48 hours before the Wembley game with Germany.

After Keegan's departure, Gerrard flew back from Turin on the eve of the Italy game in November, before Eriksson left him out of the squad to play Spain last month on Houllier's advice.

As the Swede noted: 'People keep on telling me about Steven Gerrard. But every time I go to watch Liverpool, he is not playing.'