Morientes back to face Blackburn

Fernando Morientes will return to Liverpool’s starting line-up for the crucial visit of FA Cup semi-finalists Blackburn to Anfield.

The Spaniard missed the Barclays Premiership defeat at Newcastle with a groin strain and was cup-tied for the Champions League triumph in Leverkusen last week.

But Harry Kewell, who missed both those games with ankle and knee problems, will be out for another three weeks at least, claims manager Rafael Benitez.

Despite specialist advice last week that the Australian should rest for as much as three months, Liverpool are seeking further medical opinion to see whether the injury problems can be solved any quicker.

Liverpool will still be without Djimi Traore and Josemi, both of whom could be fit within a fortnight.

Benitez believes Xabi Alonso could have recovered from his broken ankle to figure in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final next month.

Provisional squad: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Warnock, Luis Garcia, Hamann, Biscan, Riise, Morientes, Baros, Smicer, Carson, Nunez, Le Tallec, Pellegrino, Potter, Welsh.