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THE Racecourse Ground in Wrexham, not Anfield, will be the scene of Harry Kewell's much anticipated return to soccer.
Exactly 312 days after scoring in Stuttgart in front of 52,000 fans to send the Socceroos to the knockout phase of the World Cup, Kewell will line up for the Liverpool reserves against Everton at 4am on Tuesday (AEST).
While the full extent of Kewell's role has not yet been determined, there is a strong possibility he will start the match.
At the very least he would play a half of soccer, but if he is not feeling any ill-effects from surgeries on foot, ankle and groin ailments, Kewell could play on into the second half.
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold and team manager Gary Moretti, who are supposed to be in Switzerland at the time, could make a detour to watch Kewell.
They were already in England last week, where they spoke to Kewell and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez to outline their Asian Cup plans for Kewell.
It is welcome news for the Socceroos star, whose career was under serious threat after suffering from septic arthritis, a bacterial infection in the joints of his left foot. Benitez was contemplating throwing Kewell into the Champions League semi-final second leg against arch-rivals Chelsea.
That now looks unlikely with Liverpool's second leg against Chelsea coming 24 hours later.
But Benitez has not ruled out using the Aussie attacker for the final in Athens on May 24 should Liverpool make it.
Although he has not laced up the boots in more than 10 months, Kewell's training regime has intensified over the past month.
A solid outing against Everton would confirm to Liverpool's medical staff that Kewell - a big-game player - is ready to return.
Benitez still views the 28-year-old as his trump card, who would most likely be used in an impact role off the bench should the Reds get to Athens.
Australian physio Les Gelis, who has worked with Kewell on a daily basis at Liverpool since the World Cup, will be in attendance at the Racecourse Ground and will monitor proceedings closely.
Arnold plans for Kewell to wear the national team shirt for the June 2 friendly against Uruguay.
The Socceroos then go into camp for the Asian Cup three weeks later in Singapore. A friendly against Singapore has been locked in for June 30, while another match could take place the following day against a Singapore club side.
Liverpool's strategy is in stark contrast to the advice of former manager Roy Evans, who said that in his experiences it would be better to wrap Kewell in cotton wool and save him for next season.
"They've had him in cotton wool so far and maybe its better to sit the whole season out and make a fresh start in August or September, that's what experience will tell you,'' Evans said.
Liverpool, who played Portsmouth overnight and have already qualified for next seasons Champions League, have just Fulham (away on May 5) and Charlton (home on May 13) left to play in the Premiership, with Kewell likely to play some par
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樓主: 奧雲仔仔
發表於 07-4-28 11:25 PM
發表於 07-4-28 11:25 PM
