Alonso overcomes broken ankle
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Article summary
Liverpool FC have been boosted by the news that Xabi Alonso could return from injury for the quarter-finals.
Article body
Ankle injury
The 23-year-old has made a speedy recovery from the broken ankle he suffered in the 1-0 home defeat by Chelsea FC on 1 January. Three weeks after the injury, manager Rafael Benítez ruled the Spanish international out of his plans for the rest of the season. However, Alonso is already back in light training.
Second-leg hope
Although he is not expected to be fit in time for the first leg of Liverpool's quarter-final on 5/6 April, he could well be back for the return match a week later. The draw for the last eight will be made this Friday in Nyon, Switzerland.
'Good chance'
Benítez said: "I hope Xabi will be in full training by the last week of March. He will be like a new, very important player for us. Maybe Xabi will be available for the second game of the quarter-final. He is improving a lot. If he's back training with the rest of the squad by the end of the month, like we hope, he has a good chance."
