Houllier holds out on Henchoz fitness

Stephane Henchoz was declared fit to travel today with Liverpool for their Champions League opener in Valencia tomorrow.

The Swiss defender missed Liverpool’s 3-2 victory at Bolton on Saturday with a calf injury picked up in the home draw with Birmingham a week ago.

But whether the central defender is fit enough to face the Spanish champions is open to doubt.

The player described by boss Gerard Houllier as “my unsung hero” will take part in a training session at the Stadio Mestalla tonight before the manager makes any sort of decision.

Houllier said: “I can’t say whether he will be fit to play, we need to see him in training first, but it is worth taking him and I will give him every chance.”

Liverpool used Senegal midfielder Salif Diao alongside Sami Hyypia in central defence at the Reebok and that would probably be his option tomorrow.

Marcus Babbel is still a way short of fitness, Abel Xavier has a stomach upset, Jamie Carragher is needed at full-back and the only other alternative is to move Djimi Traore into the centre.

However, the French youngster struggled in that role against Birmingham and Houllier would clearly want Henchoz in defence for such a vital match.

The only Liverpool first team squad man who did not travel was Vladimir Smicer, who is still recovering from a broken toe.

Provisional Squad: Dudek, Carragher, Xavier, Henchoz, Hyypia, Traore, Murphy, Hamann, Gerard, Riise, Diao, Cheyrou, Baros, Owen, Heskey, Diouf, Berger, Kirkland.