Rafa Benitez says Liverpool should be able to welcome back Fabio
Aurelio to the first-team squad for the home clash with
Burnley.
The Brazilian has missed the start of the new season after
suffering a knee problem during the summer, but the left-back is
expected to be back in contention for a start for the visit of the
Clarets.
The international break has come at a good time for Aurelio and
Benitez is delighted at the prospect of his squad being
strengthened with players returning from injury.
The Reds boss revealed: “Fabio is back training and playing
football.
“After the end of the international break I don’t think he will
have any problems and he will be able to be involved in normal
training sessions and be in the squad.”
Meanwhile, Benitez says Daniel Agger is walking again after his
back operation and that Nabil El Zhar’s knee injury is also
improving so that is ‘very positive’.
*originally by longchiambutz
Sammy Lee today paid tribute to Glen
Johnson following the defender's excellent start to his
Liverpool career.
The 25-year-old has made a seamless transition from Portsmouth
to the Reds - helping himself to two goals from his right-back
position in four appearances.
"Glen is a quality player in a quality team and I think he has
added something to us," Lee told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"What we try to do in each and every area and department is recruit
quality and we feel we have done with Glen.
"He has come here and has been willing to listen and learn. For
someone who is already an established England international that's
great and long may it continue."
Meanwhile, Lee believes the impending
return of Fabio Aurelio to full fitness will be like a 'new signing' for
Liverpool.
The Brazilian full-back recently resumed training at Melwood
after missing the start of the 2009-10 campaign due to a knee
injury he sustained over the course of the summer.
"Fabio will be like a new signing for us," said the Reds' assistant
manager.
"He wasn't available for pre-season, but he's coming back and
hopefully we'll have him chomping at the bit and competing for a
place very shortly.
"Any team likes to have all of their players available. That brings
its own problems of course because you have to pick a team from
them, but we would prefer to have that problem than a situation
where players are out injured
"Rafa has said on many occasions he is confident with the squad we
have and we feel we can mount a challenge on all fronts."<!--
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