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Babel return boosts Reds

09 Jul 2008 - 14:33:14

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Liverpool winger Ryan Babel has returned to training after making a quicker than anticipated recovery from the ankle injury he suffered just before the start of Euro 2008.

The Netherlands international picked up the problem in training six weeks ago but his swift return to fitness means he could now represent his country at next month's Olympics.

If that is the case Babel will miss Liverpool's first two Premier League games of the season against Sunderland and Middlesbrough as well as the two legs of the Champions League third qualifying round.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez told the club's official website: "Obviously, we are really pleased that Ryan is coming back to training because he is an important player for us and he has worked hard to recover from the injury he suffered with Holland.

"But we are really worried because after getting him fit it is likely that we could lose him again if he is selected for the Olympics.

"This is a big problem - we prepare him and then he goes away with the national team.

"This season is very important for him. In his first season he was settling in but this time he has more experience and we are looking for him to give something from the beginning, so it is really important for him to start working with his team.

"This is a strange pre-season because we have to wait for players to return from the Euros at the start and then at the end we are going to lose players to the Olympics."