Soccer: Kewell’s return from injury gives Houllier cause to smile

GERARD HOULLIER has defiantly smiled his way through his worst spell at Liverpool as criticism mounted over recent weeks.

But he has been able to reveal that one of his seven injured stars is set for a St Stephen's Day return.

Harry Kewell should be back to face form team Bolton at Anfield.

Kewell has missed three weeks with a knee injury suffered during the Carling Cup home defeat by Bolton h that helped to cast Houllier's season further into turmoil.

"Harry scores goals, makes goals and is very important for us. He has made such a good impact since he joined the club," Houllier said.

"He is an instinctive player, full of pace and power. He will make a difference. Harry is almost certain to take part against Bolton, he rained today and is improving every day.

"We have had all our strikers out and that has been tough, but Harry is now ready to return and I believe Michael Owen could be back for the FA Cup tie at Yeovil [on January 4].

"Michael, if he comes back for Yeovil, will have been out for three months, a long time in the English game, an awful lot of matches.

"But I am hopeful that when they are all back we will be able to compete for the top places."

Houllier is facing calls for his head, with Mark Lawrenson claiming fourth is not good enough for Liverpool.

But the Frenchman is determined to brush such talk aside, and hopes the return of his injured stars will reveal how much they were missed.

He said: "I only ever see my name these days with the word under fire in front of it, but I have grown used to that now. My new years' wish would be to have no more injuries and to get back to fourth spot.

"I know some people are not happy with that as a target, but we have to be realistic. The top three are battling in a league of their own at the moment."

Even though disappointed with the progress of other injured players, he refuses to lose the smile.

"Jamie Carragher has been training with the first team, Milan Baros has not started ball work yet and his leg is still sore, while Michael will need another fortnight, as will Steve Finnan," added Houllier.

"I am really looking forward to the holiday period. There is a smile on my face, am I disappointing people with that?"

Houllier also insists that there will be no transfer activity at Anfield next month, despite being linked with Marc Overmars and Kieron Dyer, while Jerzy Dudek has been strongly tipped for a move to Manchester City.

Houllier says he does not want to lose Dudek, now third choice, behind Chris Kirkland and Patrice Luzi .