Rafa and Torres getting closer to a return

[stressederic]

Reds duo set to return

Benitez and Torres recovering well

Last updated: 23rd December 2008

 

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez should be back in the dugout on Boxing Day and striker Fernando Torres is closing in on a comeback.

 

Benitez, who underwent an operation to remove kidney stones last week, was absent from the touchline for Sunday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal with Sammy Lee again deputising in his absence in Tuesday's press conference.

 

The Spaniard, who kept in touch with the bench at Emirates Stadium via mobile phone, is expected to have recovered sufficiently in time for the home meeting with Bolton.

 

The clash with the Trotters may come too soon for Torres, who has been sidelined by a hamstring injury since the end of November, but he is back in full training and improving with every day.

 

Battle plan

Lee said: "Rafa is a lot better, he's on the mend. He has been in a lot of pain but he is improving.

 

"His presence is always missed, but the organisation he has put in place is such that even though he has not been here this week, the battle plan is still there.

 

"We know what we have to do, the game plan is there, it is business as usual. He is missed and hopefully he will be back with us for the Bolton game.

 

"He is a hands-on manager, it is hurting him more being away from the training ground really, but he will be back soon."

 

Lee was less forthcoming over Torres' return, the 24-year-old having now missed five matches after suffering a recurrence of the injury that ruled him out for six games earlier in the campaign.

 

But having been insistent that Torres would not figure at the Emirates on Sunday, Lee stresses that the situation is improving.

 

He said: "Fernando's progressed and has markedly improved. He is getting better. He improves with every training session and he has worked very hard on his rehabilitation.

 

"We will put him in when we see fit, that's not evasive but I don't want to start revealing our line-up."

 

Sky Sports

 

Hopefully having Rafa back on the bench and being top on Boxing Day will give Anfield a good lift.

 

Be nice if Torres could sneak onto the bench as well.

[Hassony]

Hopefully having Rafa back on the bench and being top on Boxing Day will give Anfield a good lift.

 

Be nice if Torres could sneak onto the bench as well.

 

miss him so much.............

[stressederic]

miss him so much.............

 

Be good if we could field him against Newcastle. A double hattrick would really help him get back into the swing of things.

[ali]

RAFA TARGETS BOLTON RETURN

Steve Hunter 23 December 2008 .tv

Rafael Benitez is hopeful of returning to the dugout in time for the Boxing Day clash with Bolton after coming through a second minor operation to treat a kidney stone problem.

A club spokesman said: "Rafa has undergone a second minor operation which went well. He's feeling a little better and is hoping to be back for the game against Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day."

[DJS]

I know this might sound a little weak, given the fulham, hull, west ham and stoke games, but we should be able to beat Bolton at home, even without torres.

 

Having said that, if he's not right for Bolton, Newcastle's only 2 days later so it might be a bit of an ask for him to be fit for that one.

[Magic8Ball]

Torres set for surprise Boxing Day return against Bolton

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/de...-premier-league

[Herbie von Smalls]

Quote(stressederic)

"We will put him in when we see fit, that's not evasive but I don't want to start revealing our line-up," Lee said.

way to master the art of self-contradiction, sammy!

[Swagger]

Getting a fit Torres back will undoubtedly give the team a huge lift. Cannot wait.

[Jacks Jackie Jackson]

Getting a fit Torres back will undoubtedly give the team a huge lift. Cannot wait.

 

It's not the team who needs a lift at Newcastle but us poor fans having to climb that mountain of a stand. Still, nice view of the Metro Centre from up there.

[Mike]

I know this might sound a little weak, given the fulham, hull, west ham and stoke games, but we should be able to beat Bolton at home, even without torres.

 

.

 

without question