Benitez seeks cover at right-back

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has indicated he is keen to draft in a right-back before the transfer window closes.

Benitez wants to act as Glen Johnson is taking time to recover from medial ligament damage.

In the England international’s absence, Jamie Carragher has been deployed in that role.

However Benitez, whose side face Bolton on Saturday, would like Carragher to return to the centre of the defence.

The Spanish boss knows time is against him to recruit with the transfer window about to close but a fresh face remains a possibly.

“We have to be careful with what we do,” Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.

“There are not too many good players around who are available and we will think about it.

“We still have some time but we will not rush if we cannot find the right player for this position.”

Benitez does have options to fill in for Johnson.

Martin Kelly has returned to training after a long lay-off while Philipp Degen’s calf problem is not thought to be serious. Stephen Darby is also staking a claim.

Carragher celebrates his 32nd birthday today and Benitez added: “We are really pleased to see him playing as well as he does when he is in the centre of defence or at full-back.

“We have needed him and he is doing well. As for Kelly, he has been injured but has improved.”