Bellamy boost for Reds
13 Apr 2007 - 07:53:31
Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy could be fit to face Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Champions League after the club revealed his knee injury is not as bad as first feared.
The Wales international was stretchered off in Wednesday's quarter-final victory over PSV Eindhoven at Anfield after appearing to tweak his medial knee ligament.
But scans have revealed no major damage to the joint and Liverpool hope the diminutive frontman will be fit to face their Premiership rivals in the first leg of their last four meeting on April 25.
"Craig will have a couple of days intensive treatment which should improve the situation," revealed an Anfield spokesman.
Bellamy will miss Saturday's trip to Manchester City and next week's visit of Middlesbrough, but has reportedly targeted a return in the Reds' Premiership clash with Wigan Athletic on April 21.
The former Newcastle United striker's career has been blighted by a succession of knee injuries which have accounted for long periods out of the game in the past.
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists his side fear no-one left in the Champions League - despite Manchester United reaching the semi-final stage with a 7-1 rout of AS Roma in midweek.
He said: "We were not intimidated by the football we saw from Manchester United, we have always known they have great character and they are in very good form at the moment.
"But if I was offered the chance of playing Manchester United in the final I would be happy and say yes, because that means I will be in the final too.
"We would be confident of success if that occurred."