Murphy faces fight for fitness

Liverpool’s Danny Murphy is struggling to recover from a leg muscle injury in time for Sunday’s trip to Charlton.

The midfielder was forced off early in the first half of the 1-1 UEFA Cup draw with Olimpija Ljubljana on Wednesday.

Steven Gerrard is expected to return after a knee injury saw him dropped to the bench in midweek while El-Hadji Diouf returns to the squad, and almost certainly the side, after suspension.

Stephane Henchoz, an unused substitute in Slovenia, is also pushing for a return after his calf problems, but Igor Biscan has done well as his stand-in and could hold his place.

Provisional squad: Dudek, Finnan, Biscan, Henchoz, Hyypia, Riise, Diouf, Gerrard, Kewell, Smicer, Owen, Heskey, Luzi, Diao, Murphy, Traore, Sinama-Pongolle, Le Tallec, Welsh.