RAFA'S UPDATE ON INJURED SEVEN

RAFA'S UPDATE ON INJURED SEVEN
Steve Hunter 07 November 2009


Rafael Benitez is hoping to have seven of his injured stars available for selection against Birmingham City on Monday night.

The boss will make a late decision on whether to start inspirational skipper Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres and he could also be boosted by the availability of Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio, Albert Riera and Nabil El Zhar.

Speaking exclusively to Liverpoolfc.tv, after Saturday morning's training session, Benitez said: "We have a lot of good news with players coming back from injury and they all took part in a light training session this morning.

"Steven trained on Friday with the physios and did a light training session today with the team and did well. He is improving and has more confidence.

"We will decide on Monday before the game if he can play. He hasn't been training for a long time so we have to be careful.

"With Fernando we know he has to keep working with the physios and we will see how he progresses. We will see how is he is because he still has some pain so we will decide if he can play on Monday.

"Johnson did a light session today and will train again on Sunday. If he is okay then hopefully he will be available to play against Birmingham.

"Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio and Nabil El Zhar are doing well and were also involved in the training session so we will decide if they can play on Monday.

"Albert Riera also trained after his hamstring injury and that is good news for us.

"You can see we have had a lot of young players on the bench in recent weeks but we have more players back in training now. It's good for me and an option we didn't have available before."

Jamie Carragher will sit out this game as he serves a one-match ban for his sending-off against Fulham but Alberto Aquilani is in line for a first taste of the Anfield experience after he was an unused substitute in Lyon.

The Reds No.4 is unlikely to start against Alex McLeish's side but he is in the squad and the boss added: "His match fitness is still a problem.

"We are hopeful of having some players fit and available so maybe he can wait and change the game if it's necessary.

"We were controlling the game in Lyon and Lucas and Javier Mascherano were doing a very good job. When we scored we didn't want to change the shape. Aquilani was better after his virus and could have played some part but hopefully now he will be better for Monday."


Thanks Info By Liverpoolfc.net