Gerrard back in Liverpool squad
CAPTAIN Steven Gerrard was named in Liverpool's squad for their Champions League trip to Real Madrid after missing almost three weeks with a hamstring injury.
“Steven will be in the squad. He was okay in training this morning,” said Benitez yesterday.
“It was a special training session so we were not testing him 100 per cent, but he trained okay, so we will see.”
Cruciate injury keeps Arteta out for season
EVERTON manager David Moyes’ bid to close in on the top five in the Premiership suffered another blow when midfielder Mikel Arteta was ruled out for the rest of the season.
The Spaniard ruptured the cruciate ligament in his right knee in the goalless draw at Newcastle yesterday and will be out for several months.
Arteta is Everton’s main creative outlet and his absence, the latest in a string of injuries to befall the squad, puts more strain on a squad already struggling to cope.
Moyes harbours hopes of catching Arsenal, currently one place above Everton in fifth – four points above the Toffees – but with Arteta out and striker Louis Saha and midfielder Marouane Fellaini not fully fit the manager has some patching up to do if he is to achieve that. He will be hoping Victor Anichebe will not be sidelined for long after he was on the receiving end of a horror tackle from Kevin Nolan. The Newcastle midfielder was sent off for the challenge.
Carr signs for Birmingham
FORMER Ireland international Stephen Carr could make his debut for Birmingham City against Crystal Palace this evening after signing an initial one month deal with the Championship club, writes Emmet Malone.
The 32-year-old has been without a club since leaving Newcastle United last year and had at one point announced his retirement from the game. For the past 10 days or so, though, he has been training with City.
“We’ve been looking to strengthen the full-back position,” said manager Alex McLeish, who recently allowed Stephen Kelly to move to Stoke City, “and we’re pleased to bring in Stephen as he brings with him great experience.
“He has not played for a while, but there’s no doubt he is a quality player who can definitely bring something to the side once he is fully match fit.”
Lampard looks to Drogba and Anelka
FRANK Lampard believes Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba can provide Chelsea with the killer instinct the team have lacked this season.
New boss Guus Hiddink certainly appears to be an admirer as the duo have been on the pitch from the start in the last two matches, wins at Watford and Aston Villa – even if the Dutchman was not officially in charge for the FA Cup tie at Vicarage Road.
“Nico’s finish was sublime,” said Lampard of the Frenchman’s winner at Villa Park on Saturday.
“He’s a huge weapon, and we saw Didier looking like the player we know he can be. But, with Nico coming in off the left side and floating in, he was dangerous. He can pick the ball up and hurt people, so all of a sudden we’ve options.”
Chelsea will certainly need to be at their sharpest for tomorrow’s visit of former Blues boss Claudio Ranieri’s Juventus to Stamford Bridge.
Today’s fixtures
Champions League- Last 16, first leg: Arsenal v Roma; Atletico Madrid v Porto; Inter v Manchester Utd; Lyon v Barcelona.
FA Cup- Fifth Round replay: Coventry v Blackburn; Fulham v Swansea.
English Championship- Crystal Palace v Birmingham.
English League One- Brighton v Northampton; Cheltenham v Millwall; Colchester v Stockport; Crewe v Yeovil; Oldham v Bristol Rovers; Peterborough v Carlisle; Southend v Scunthorpe; Swindon v Hartlepool. League Two - Accrington Stanley v Luton; Dag Red v Bournemouth; Darlington v Rochdale; Grimsby v Morecambe.
Irish Premier League- Cliftonville v Dungannon Swifts.
