Injury boost for Venables

Under-pressure Leeds manager Terry Venables’ hopes of reversing the club’s current decline appear set to be given a much-needed tonic this weekend.

Leeds have slipped into a relegation battle on the back of a miserable Barclaycard Premiership run which has seen United lose five of their last six league matches.

The Whites are now in 15th in the table and just seven points above the drop zone going into Sunday’s clash with Liverpool at Anfield.

Venables could have three players back in the frame in defenders Gary Kelly and Michael Duberry, as well as 12-goal leading scorer Harry Kewell.

The Australia international missed the 3-2 home defeat to Middlesbrough on Saturday with a recurrence of a back injury sustained in the previous weekend’s FA Cup loss at Sheffield United.

Kewell is understood to be making good progress, with his presence vital if Leeds are to end their four-match losing streak which has placed Venables’ job firmly back on the line.

Right-back Kelly, who had been captaining the side in the absence of Dominic Matteo, and centre-back Duberry have returned to training after recent lay-offs with hamstring injuries.

Both players have missed the last three matches, but should firmly be in contention for a first-team return against Gerard Houllier’s side.