[lfc-news] Reds hopeful of Hyypia return for Baggies visit - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 31 Aug 2004
Reds hopeful of Hyypia return for Baggies visit
By Rob Brady, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL remain hopeful defender Sami Hyypia will have recovered from his
broken nose in time for their next game in 11 days' time.

The injury, which forced him off at Bolton on Sunday, may keep him out of
Finland's forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Armenia.

But time is on Liverpool's side and the influential centre-back should be
fit for the league visit of West Brom on September 11.

Hyypia was replaced early on at the Reebok Stadium by Djimi Traore, who now
looks certain to stay at Anfield after his proposed £1.5m move across
Stanley Park to Everton collapsed at the 11th hour.

Manager Rafael Benitez wants to retain the 24-year-old Frenchman in his
squad, although the player himself is yearning for first-team football.

Traore said: " The manager has told me he wants me to stay, but of course I
want to be playing first-team football. That's the important thing for me.

"I was surprised to be included against Bolton. It was unfortunate it came
at the expense of Sami. After getting injured in America I only returned to
full training last Tuesday and I have not played any pre-season games."

The defender may be given a chance to build up his match fitness in
Liverpool's reserve game against Nottingham Forest at Wrexham's Racecourse
Ground tonight (kick-off 7pm).

Neil Mellor is hoping to make his comeback following a six-week lay-off
with a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Reds stars Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher will tonight be
given the chance of a quick reunion with Michael Owen following the
striker's £8m move to Real Madrid.

After Real's friendly with Pumas de Mexico tonight, Owen will join up with
the rest of the England squad to prepare for Saturday's World Cup qualifier
against Austria.

Sven Goran Eriksson reiterated that the former Liverpool forward needs
regular first-team football at the Bernabeu if he is to be sure of his
England place.

The coach said: "I don't know how Real Madrid are thinking, whether they
will put him in or not. I should be worried if a month had gone past and he
hadn't played. Then it would be bad for him and us.

"But I don't think they have bought Michael Owen just to have him on the
bench. I should be surprised if that was the case."


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