Dudek faces Burnley as Benitez backs under-fire keeper

RAFAEL BENITEZ has thrown his support behind calamity goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek and insisted the Polish international will play in the FA Cup third round tie at Burnley tonight.

Dudek’s howler against Manchester United on Saturday gave Wayne Rooney the winning goal - the third season in succession that Dudek’s errors have presented United with the points at Anfield. However, while Benitez confirmed captain Steven Gerrard and a string of senior team-mates will be rested for the re-arranged match at Burnley, he insisted Dudek will be back in the firing line.

In reality Benitez does not have much choice, because his only alternative is untried third-choice youngster Paul Harrison, and he admitted: “We do not have much money to spend.”