Rafael Benitez today confirmed Harry Kewell is closing in on a return to full training at Melwood.
Kewell hasn't kicked a ball for the Reds this season after picking up an injury during the Asian Cup in the summer.
It was the latest in a series of injury setbacks for the Australian international, but Benitez is now hoping Kewell can prove his fitness and press for a place in the first team squad.
"He's been working really hard with the physios and next week he could be training or running with the rest of the first team," said the Liverpool manager.
"Harry is very important for us. A player with pace and ability who can score goals and who can also play as a second striker is always going to be important."
Despite splashing the cash in the summer to bring new wide midfielders to the club in Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun, Benitez insists Kewell still has a role to play at Anfield.
"It's clear he's someone with great quality and experience and we need these kind of players for the rest of the season," he said.
Meanwhile, Benitez is keeping his fingers crossed that Fernando Torres doesn't aggravate an ankle knock when playing for Spain this weekend.
The Liverpool striker was restricted to just a light training session with his international team-mates earlier in the week, but he's expected to figure in Spain's crucial clash with Denmark on Saturday.
"It's a risk but I know he wants to play because they have such an important game," said Benitez. |
發表於 2007-10-12 10:02 PM
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