Alonso overcomes broken ankle
Tuesday, 15 March 2005
Liverpool FC have been boosted by the news that midfield player Xabi Alonso
could return for the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

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

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