Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard begins rehabilitation

Gerrard suffered his injury against Chelsea on 6 February

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has started his rehabilitation following surgery on his groin, manager Kenny Dalglish has said.

The 30-year-old England midfielder underwent surgery last week and is expected to be out for about a month.

Dalglish commented: "Steven has had his operation and he feels good - he has started his rehabilitation already."

Gerrard suffered the injury in Liverpool's 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 6 February.

He has already missed Liverpool's Europa League defeat by Braga and will be unavailable for the return leg at Anfield on Thursday.

Reports had suggested that Gerrard would be out for four weeks following his operation.

That scenario would see him miss Premier League games against Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City.

Dalglish's best hope will be to have Gerrard available for the season run-in. The Liverpool boss is already without 19-year-old midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, who was ruled out for three months with a knee tendon injury in February.

Gerrard was forced to sit out five games for the Reds at the end of 2010 after tearing a hamstring during England's 2-1 defeat at home by France in November.

The player will also miss England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales on 26 March.