Hyypia fit for Benfica clash

Sami Hyypia is set to be passed fit to play in Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Benfica on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old Finland centre-back was taken off at half-time against Charlton on Saturday after suffering a hamstring problem.

A scan at the club’s Melwood training ground has not revealed any serious damage and he will be fit to train prior to the Benifca clash.

Boss Rafael Benitez was pessimistic after the Anfield stalemate against the Addicks and was worried there was only a few days for the defender to recover.

But Liverpool spokesman Ian Cotton said on the club’s website, liverpoolfc.tv: “The scan did not show up anything serious and Sami will be fit to train with the rest of the squad on Tuesday.”

Liverpool need to pull back a 1-0 deficit from the first leg if they are to reach the quarter-finals at the expense of the Portuguese side, and Hyypia’s availability will be a major boost for the European champions.

Benitez also revealed Spanish midfielder Luis Garcia will also be back in the squad for Wednesday's match.

Garcia was left out for the match against Charlton having played for Spain in midweek in their friendly victory over the Ivory Coast.

Benitez only used other Spanish stars Xabi Alonso and Fernando Morientes on the bench at the weekend, both of whom had also played in the international.

He said: “Luis Garcia was not injured, I decided to give him a rest. He will be back in the squad on Wednesday, after international breaks you always have players who are tired after travelling and playing.

“I decided to play in a different way against Charlton, but he will be back against Benfica.”