STEVE HARKNESS has given Livernool a boost with the news that he could be back in action sooner than expected after a successful operation on his broken leg.

The utility player suffered a double fracture in a late challenge by Coventry's John Salako in the Merseysiders' defeat at Highfield Road on Saturday.

Original estimates were set at nine months for a full recovery but manager Roy Evans believes that Harkness has a character and strength to return earlier.

He said: "He came back with us on the team bus in his kit after being well looked after in the Coventry hospital on Saturday.

"Our surgeons had operated on him. He is happy with it; the leg has been pinned and it looks to be a successful job.

"When you get a double fracture, it always depends on how bones knit and things like that on how quickly the player can come back. But the signs are that it looks a nice, neat job and it might not be long."

Evans added: "Harky is a smashing lad who enjoys his football. Everyone is sick for him especially because he misses a cup final. The lads have all seen him and we'll make sure that he is OK."

Evans has accepted Salako's apology and full remorse over the incident, for which the former England winger was severely criticised. "I accepted that John Salako did not go in to injure a player." Evans said.

"Football is a physical, competitive game and I was never suggesting that there was malicious intent.

"Players like Salako don't go out to do harm. I just felt that he should have been sent off as the punishment dished out on the day."

Meanwhile, Jamie Redknapp was yesterday celebrating being on the winning side against his father for the first time in his career after Liverpool beat West Ham 2-0 at Anfield.

And while the England mid-fielder admitted victory over Harry Redknapp's side would do little to help Liverpool's fading title ambitions, he was relieved to see normal service resume at Anfield after Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Highfield Road.

"It's the first time I've been on the winning side against my dad so it's nice," said Redknapp. "The result at Coventry was disappointing so it's nice to get back on a winning track again.

"West Ham are safe and are having a good season. Dad has done well this year and I'm glad to see them doing well. But the win was important for us because we want to win all our games and we wanted to get a result.

"We've got the Cup final coming up and Everton next Tuesday, so it is important that we keep winning."