Liverpool FC Forum

by **jonnymac1979** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 4:39 pm

Check out this article I just found on RAWK.

XABI ALONSO is winning his battle to make a surprise return to the Liverpool line-up before the end of the season.

Rafa Benitez admits he'd virtually written off the play-maker's chances of playing again during this campaign.

But Alonso has made good progress after returning to Spain for treatment on the broken ankle he suffered on January 1.

Now the youngster is back at Liverpool and Benitez is cautiously hopeful the 22-year-old could return by April.

"Xabi has been working hard in Spain and he came back to Liverpool this week," said Benitez.

"I said recently I wasn't waiting for Xabi this season, but that was because I don't want to rush him back. I'm always optimistic, but I preferred not to think too much about him because I didn't want to be disappointed. If you put too much hope in him returning, you can get frustrated.

"Now, it looks better for him. He may be able to play for the last month. He's working with our physiotherapists and making progress."

Alonso is not the only Liverpool player who's over the worst of his troubles.

Djibril Cisse could be running again in just a month's time as he continues his fightback from an horrendous broken leg.

There were some fears Cisse's injury was career threatening, but he's eased those concerns with his rehabilitation.

"Cisse has been in the gym here and will be running again in a month. When you have a problem like his you need a timescale and he's on schedule," said Benitez.

Harry Kewell, however, is still a few weeks away from a comeback according to the latest medical bulletin.

The Aussie has recovered from a groin operation but now has an Achilles problem.

Benitez added: "We must wait longer for Harry because he has an Achilles tendon injury. It's not a big problem but he can't work properly. Sometimes it takes a week, other times it can be 15 days, so I don't know when he'll be back.

"Tomorrow Luis Garcia is suspended so we will see how fit Smicer and Nunez are. Smicer may need more time, but I think he could play for 60 minutes. If he's really ready to play, he can."

One Birmingham striker has already suffered at the hands of Liverpool this season.

On loan Deportivo La Coruna striker Walter Pandiani played against the Reds in the Champions League.

"He's a good striker who is very good in the air. He will be well suited to the English style. He scored many goals in La Liga," said Benitez.

Looking good for Alonso and Cisse, but Harry might have to wait a little while longer. Can't wait to see them all back.

by **stmichael** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 4:41 pm

jonnymac1979 wrote:Check out this article I just found on RAWK.

XABI ALONSO is winning his battle to make a surprise return to the Liverpool line-up before the end of the season.

Rafa Benitez admits he'd virtually written off the play-maker's chances of playing again during this campaign.

But Alonso has made good progress after returning to Spain for treatment on the broken ankle he suffered on January 1.

Now the youngster is back at Liverpool and Benitez is cautiously hopeful the 22-year-old could return by April.

"Xabi has been working hard in Spain and he came back to Liverpool this week," said Benitez.

"I said recently I wasn't waiting for Xabi this season, but that was because I don't want to rush him back. I'm always optimistic, but I preferred not to think too much about him because I didn't want to be disappointed. If you put too much hope in him returning, you can get frustrated.

"Now, it looks better for him. He may be able to play for the last month. He's working with our physiotherapists and making progress."

Alonso is not the only Liverpool player who's over the worst of his troubles.

Djibril Cisse could be running again in just a month's time as he continues his fightback from an horrendous broken leg.

There were some fears Cisse's injury was career threatening, but he's eased those concerns with his rehabilitation.

"Cisse has been in the gym here and will be running again in a month. When you have a problem like his you need a timescale and he's on schedule," said Benitez.

Harry Kewell, however, is still a few weeks away from a comeback according to the latest medical bulletin.

The Aussie has recovered from a groin operation but now has an Achilles problem.

Benitez added: "We must wait longer for Harry because he has an Achilles tendon injury. It's not a big problem but he can't work properly. Sometimes it takes a week, other times it can be 15 days, so I don't know when he'll be back.

"Tomorrow Luis Garcia is suspended so we will see how fit Smicer and Nunez are. Smicer may need more time, but I think he could play for 60 minutes. If he's really ready to play, he can."

One Birmingham striker has already suffered at the hands of Liverpool this season.

On loan Deportivo La Coruna striker Walter Pandiani played against the Reds in the Champions League.

"He's a good striker who is very good in the air. He will be well suited to the English style. He scored many goals in La Liga," said Benitez.

Looking good for Alonso and Cisse, but Harry might have to wait a little while longer. Can't wait to see them all back.

aslong as he's back for the champions league final

by **dawson99** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 4:58 pm

and again i ask (this is in 2 threads sorry) hes only 22

i looked it up, hes 23, 24 in nov... but good news none the less :cool:

by **The_Rock** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 5:06 pm

stmichael wrote:aslong as he's back for the champions league final

yeah baby yeah

by **109-1105722616** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 5:06 pm

good news none the less, he is inspirational alonso

by **anfieldadorer** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 5:26 pm

yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

by **JBG** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 5:56 pm

Thats me on the far right hand side getting down. :cool:

by **The Ace1983** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 6:42 pm

I don't wanna get my hopes up, but if he can come back, even for the last four or five games, it would be amazing. Good luck to him.

by **A.B.** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 7:06 pm

Great news, good luck to both Alonso and Cisse.

by **zarababe** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 7:15 pm

John Barnes' Granny wrote:Thats me on the far right hand side getting down.

lol .. and me with ya.. Chelsea pensioner remember

... and wahaaay Xabi.. get on bak Hunky man and grt passer of the ball of course ... ue are missed... :love:

by **liamac** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 6:33 am

Thats great news about Alonso , cant wait for him to be back in the team.

Hey that looks just like my girlfreind your dancing with Ace !!!!

by **JBG** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 4:04 pm

I read somewhere that Xabi returned to San Sebastian and is making heady progress with his physio over there.

Having him available even for the last 2 or 3 games when (hopefully) we'll be going toe to toe with Everton for 4th spot will come in handy.

by **Ciggy** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 4:36 pm

anfieldadorer wrote:yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

nice one annie

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Xabi alonso - Back before end of season?

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