Australia NewsSocceroo Trio Back In Time |
Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell are set to make full fitness in time to take part in the Socceroos’ Asian Cup campaign – and all with the blessing of their club managers.
Both Everton boss David Moyes and Liverpool’s Rafa Benitez see the Australian matches in July as excellent match practice for the players after long lay-offs.Cahill broke his foot in March and hasn’t played since. But an Everton spokesman reveals: "Tim is progressing well with his recovery and we fully expect him to take part in the Asian Cup this year and be ready for our pre- season.”
Kewell too is now looking likely to get a game under his belt before the end of the month. He missed an expected comeback in a reserves match against Sheffield United earlier this month.
But now he could make an appearance in the Reds’ Premier League match against Portsmouth next week, or in a reserve match against Everton two days later.
Liverpool hope to have him match fit in time for the return home leg of the Champions League clash against Chelsea on May 1 where Benitez hopes Kewell can seal a cup final spot for his club.
Club physios are refusing to rush the Aussie winger’s return though – and have insisted he will only play when he has “Olympic” fitness levels.
"Harry is progressing towards full fitness and continues to progress very well," a Liverpool spokesperson confirmed.
"We won't put a time scale on this because the doctors and physios want him to be fully fit and happy in his own mind.
"We have two home games and two away games left in the Premiership and then Chelsea over two legs in the Champions League and the possibility of the final. There is also one reserve game, which is the last one of the season."
Kewell hasn’t played since scoring for Australia against Croatia in the World Cup. He turned up for the Italy match on crutches with what was later diagnosed as septic arthritis and has undergone a series of operations in Sydney in the year since.
He trained with the first squad last week and is understood to have been cleared to play by medical staff at Liverpool. The final decision of his comeback though now rests with coaching assistant Pako Ayestaran.
Newcastle United’s Craig Moore is also looking to be fit for the Asian Cup too. United boss Glenn Roeder admits he brought the defender back too early after a groin strain soon after a four month lay-off.
He’s now being rested but should easily be fit for the Asian drive.
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