There is no way he should be aloud to go to Durban I dont care, with all our injuries we have we cant afford any more and if he goes, then the manager should put him in the reserves. :glare
Kewell to return next week
By Paul Mulvey in London
January 27, 2005
BUOYED by Liverpool's Carling Cup semi-final win without him, Harry Kewell was hoping to return from his groin injury as early as next week in a bid to win his first trophy in his 10 years in English soccer.
Kewell has missed Liverpool's last 10 games since late last month and, although he only made a tentative return to training this week, the Socceroos striker was confident he'd be back long before the February 27 Cup final against Chelsea.
He also declared that if he did make his comeback next week, he would be available for Australia's international against South Africa in Durban on February 9, although Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was bound to disapprove.
"I'm looking to play hopefully by next week, but it's not my decision, it's down to the manager and physios to decide," Kewell said tonight in London after collecting the Young Australian Achiever in the UK award.
"I feel like I could jump off the building and land on the next one, I haven't felt this good for a while."
It was initially feared Kewell, 26, would need an operation on the groin but he hoped he had managed to avoid the surgeon's knife.
Surgery would have put an end to his season and cost him a place in Liverpool's Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen on February 22 and the Carling Cup final in Cardiff five days later.
It would also have put him in doubt for the Confederations Cup in Germany in June but he said he would be "flying fit" for Australia's campaign.
Kewell anxiously watched on television as his team mates wrapped up a place in the decider with last night's 1-0 win over Watford in the second leg of the semi final.
"I watched the match last night and it was great, it'll be my first final I've ever been in, so it'll be fantastic to be a part of it," he said.
While Kewell was positive about his fitness, there was some concern from sources close to Liverpool that he was still not fully fit and an early return could risk further injury.
Hamstring, ankle and groin injuries ruined Kewell's confidence and form in 2004 as he was never able to return to 100 per cent fitness before another setback.
"It's a difficult one to say because if you've got experts looking at you and they're saying it's right and you're saying it feels good, you go out and play," he said.
"But you can't help it if everything feels good and them something does happen, you can't predict that. Something else could go on your body."
After his worst 12 months in his decade in the English premier league with Leeds and Liverpool, Kewell said tonight's award at an Australia Day dinner in London was a welcome bonus.
"It's always welcoming to have bright spots. I had a very big down last year but I feel positive now, I feel great and know what I can do," he said.
"It's a great honour to win the award because I know there are a lot of very successful Australians over here and I know how hard Australians work and what we're capable of doing."
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