Agger close to recall

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger could make his comeback at Newcastle in the club’s first match after the international break.

The 22-year-old centre-back has been out since early September and has missed 13 matches with a broken metatarsal.

Agger was ruled out of the Denmark squad this week and said: “I’m not going off with my country but I would hope to be ready to play for Liverpool after the international break.”

Manager Rafael Benitez is confident the defender is ready for a return at St James’s Park in the lunch-time kick-off on November 24.

“Agger is improving a lot, and he has started running now,” said the Spaniard.

Yossi Benayoun, who has been ruled out of Israel’s clash with Russia on Saturday with a groin problem, also has a chance of facing Newcastle.

“Yossi is working with the physios now. We will have to see if he is fit for Newcastle, it’s still too early to say,” added the manager.

“He and Agger are maybes but perhaps it will be easier for Agger than for Benayoun.”

However, Xabi Alonso, also out with a metatarsal problem, has already been ruled out of the visit to Newcastle.

Benitez added: “Xabi should start running in the next week but he is a ’no’ for Newcastle, for sure.”