Liverpool welcome Babbel back for Saints clash

GERMAN defender Markus Babbel ends months of frustration when he returns to first-team action for Liverpool in their Worthington Cup third-round clash with Southampton tonight — but England striker Michael Owen will be missing.

The prolific 22-year-old, who has scored 10 goals in his past eight appearances for the club, sustained a calf injury during the weekend win against West Ham and has been left out of the squad for the clash against Gordon Strachan's side at Anfield.

However, Owen is expected to return against Middlesbrough at the Riverside in the Barclaycard Premiership this weekend.