Source: Daily_Mail
Andy Carroll set for Liverpool Euro bow - Dalglish steps up striker's search for fitness
Liverpool will step up Andy Carroll's quest to recapture full fitness by handing him his European debut on Thursday night.[LNB]The ?35million striker made his first appearance as a late substitute in Sunday' s 3-1 win over Manchester United but gave the impression he is still some way short of peak condition.[LNB]But he will be part of the squad thattravels out to Portugal on Wednesday for the first leg of Liverpool'sEuropa League last-16 clash with Braga.[LNB] Fitness battle: Carroll looks set to feature for the Reds on Thursday night[LNB]Manager Kenny Dalglish will not overburden Carroll by asking him to do too much too soon, as his 16-minute cameo at the weekend was his first competitive football since December 28.[LNB]However, Dalglish will be without the cup-tied Luis Suarez and he is likely to give Carroll another run from the bench to boost Liverpool's attacking options.[LNB]Dalglish gave Carroll a flavour of European football last month when he travelled in a non-playing capacity for the first leg of the last 32 fixture with Sparta Prague.[LNB]And head of sports medicine and sports science Dr Peter Brukner said the club were pleased with how the player's recuperation had gone.[LNB]'It's been a long process rehabilitating him - about eight or nine weeks - but we are happy with the result,' said the Australian.[LNB]Comeback trail: Carroll could feature for more then the 16 minutes he managed at the weekend[LNB]'We've seen steady improvement over that time; he's much stronger in that tendon and in general as well.[LNB]'We still need to keep working with him and we want to build his training and playing load up to the level required.[LNB]'He'll play some more minutes against Braga and hopefully he'll be involved more and more with each game.[LNB]'Overall, we are really happy with his progress. The physio and fitness guys have worked really hard with Andy and to his credit he's not shirked the issue.[LNB]'He's worked very hard to get himself right. It was very frustrating for him not being able to be out there with the other players.[LNB]'You've just signed for a new club and want to be out there but you are stuck inside in the gym."That was hugely frustrating for him but as soon as we got him outside he was much happier.'[LNB]Brukner was happy with Carroll's cameo against United and added: 'He came through the game well. He has had a very long rehabilitation programme.[LNB]'We were really determined to build him up slowly and just get him a lot stronger to cope with the load.[LNB]'He spent the first couple of weeks in the gym and on the treatment table. Then we were able to get him outside and start him running and gradually we introduced him to ball drills.[LNB]'He had full training last week and had his 16 minutes on Sunday. Unless anything goes wrong between now and Thursday, we'll expect him to play for a longer period of time.'[LNB] Dalglish learned on Tuesday he willbe without Fabio Aurelio for a month after the injury-plagued left-backsuffered a hamstring problem during the win over United. [LNB]Meanwhile, Lucas has revealed he hasnot contacted Manchester United defender Rafael to discuss the flyingtackle that could have seriously injured him.[LNB]Reds mist: The Liverpool players were angry with Rafael over his tackle on Lucas in Sunday's match at Anfield[LNB]The Liverpool midfielder had to takeevasive action after Rafael hurtled into him shortly after JamieCarragher's poor challenge on Nani but will see him when Brazil playScotland later this month.[LNB]'I haven't spoken to Rafael,' hesaid. 'I didn't have a chance after the game, when I don't think it isthe best time to talk. We will have a good chat when we play for thenational team!'[LNB] Aurelio blow for Liverpool as defender is ruled out for a monthAldridge hails Suarez and says striker reminds him of Keegan and DalglishThe big question remains at Liverpool: Why the wait over Kenny Dalglish?All the latest Liverpool news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Kenny Dalglish, Fabio Aurelio, Andy Carroll Places: Liverpool, Prague, Portugal
