The Sick Bay - injury news

[Morph]

Robbie's injured, won't put him in here for now because it doesn't sound serious and there's not much info

[simey85]

no, apparently Rafa wanted him playing in some behind closed doors friendlies first, he's purposely keeping everything low key about his return, not sure why but thats the story at the moment

thanks mate i heard he was supposed to play one a week or two ago but then pulled out!

[Morph]

The Kewell news is pretty thin on the ground, been looking for some info but there's nowt.

Oh and Bellamy and Fowler are fit, just in case anyone didn't know

[anfieldanfield]

The Kewell news is pretty thin on the ground, been looking for some info but there's nowt.

Any idea how long he's been back in full training for ?

[Morph]

Any idea how long he's been back in full training for ?

Best estimate would have him back in full training for about the last 3 weeks, but he's only played in specially set up matches at Melwood, and still not played any reserve matches yet, I don't think it's likely he'll play before last prem game of the season

[Johnny]

Any idea how long he's been back in full training for ?

Who cares,we done alright without the pansy.

[Morph]

Got a pm to a story on SCM, not sure where to original story is from but here goes:

After 10 months on the sidelines, Socceroos star Harry Kewell, seen in training last week, is about to jump back into action and could yet play a crucial role for his club Liverpool as they push for victory in the UEFA Champions League.

The World Cup seems a long time ago for Harry Kewell, who has battled nagging injuries ever since and is about to make his much-awaited return to action, Matthew Hall writes.

Liverpool officials are coy about officially announcing a return date for Kewell but club manager Rafael Benitez is hoping to unleash the Australian as his secret weapon against Chelsea for the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.

Kewell's initial proposed comeback, a reserves game against Sheffield United early this month, was postponed until the Australian reached what Liverpool assistant coach Pako Ayestaran described as "Olympic" fitness levels.

A super-fit Kewell is now looking at being given a Premier League test run against Portsmouth next Saturday or a reserves outing against Everton two days later before the May 1 showdown with Chelsea at Anfield.

"Harry is progressing towards full fitness and continues to progress very well," a Liverpool spokesperson told The Sun-Herald.

"We won't put a time scale on this because the doctors and physios want him to be fully fit and happy in his own mind.

"We have two home games and two away games left in the Premiership and then Chelsea over two legs in the Champions League and the possibility of the final. There is also one reserve game, which is the last one of the season."

Despite Liverpool's official line, The Sun-Herald understands medical staff have given Kewell the green light and his comeback is now in the hands of Ayestaran, Rafael Benitez's Spanish assistant.

With Liverpool assured of finishing within the Premier League's top four positions - and automatically qualifying for the Champions League next year - the club is focusing on the semi-final with Chelsea.

With an eye on those two crucial games, to be played on Wednesday and the following Tuesday, Ayestaran is understood to have postponed Kewell's comeback until the Socceroo can reach top level in a series of scientifically analysed Olympic-style training drills.

Benitez rates Kewell highly and, although he has missed the entire campaign to date, now sees him as the equivalent of a late-season star signing. Kewell had several days off during the week to recover from tough workouts but reported no problems from his previously troublesome toe or major reactions after surgery in Australia last year.

Kewell, 28, credits Australian doctors for solving injury problems that have dogged him since an Achilles operation in the UK in 2001.
Within a month in September, Kewell had a hip adjustment by David Young in Melbourne, a toe and ankle and tendon scrape by Kim Slater in Sydney, and groin and adductor tendon surgery by John Garvey in Sydney. He had had groin and hernia surgery in 2005 in the UK.

[Morph]

Garcia expected to be able to start running next week, obviously it comes too late to be involved this season, but at least he's well on the way to being involved in pre-season

[shelly]

Garcia expected to be able to start running next week, obviously it comes too late to be involved this season, but at least he's well on the way to being involved in pre-season

That's great news!

[Morph]

Bit late with some of the updates here been away for a bit so probably already been discussed, but Kewell might feature today, if not then next week and Gerrard Pennant and Mascherano supposedly picked up slight knocks but nothing too serious, but not expected to feature today

[Shanks]

From .TV


Liverpool Manager Rafa Benitez is sweating on the fitness of four of his players after they picked up injuries during Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage.

"I have four players injured," said Rafa.
"Pepe Reina has a shoulder problem,
Mark Gonzalez and Alvaro Arbeloa have ankle problems and Momo Sissoko has a knee injury. We will have to wait and see how they all are."

[Morph]

well from watching the match the only one i'd say looked serious was reina's but he looked okay in the second half, they will all be fine by 23rd may is my guess

[Morph]

and for the first time this season Harry Kewell is out of the sick bay, lets hope he's not back in next week. I wouldn't have beleived it if i hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

[Morph]

Momo is out and Reina is doubtful for the game vs Charlton, won't bother putting them in the sick bay because they'll be back for the final