Source: Daily_Mail
Benitez calms Aurelio injury fears and backs defender to make start of season
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has allayed fears that first choice left Fabio Aurelio will be out for the rest of the year after confirming the extent of the Brazilian's freak injury.
There were fears that Aurelio would be missing for the rest of the year after he suffered damaged his knee in a kickaboutin his back garden.
But Benitez refuted reports of a six month lay-off and insisted the 29-year-old full-back is expected to return in time for the new Barclays Premier League campaign.
'He was injured playing with his son and really disappointed because he was enjoying the summer,' Benitez said.
Uncertain future: Real Madrid target Xabi Alonso
'He had the operation - he has had a problem with his cartilage - so he will be one month, maximum two months, not six months like I see in the press.'
The setback, however, has forced manager Benitez to abandon any thoughts of allowing Juventus to follow up their interest in Andrea Dossena, who could still have a part to play in the opening weeks of the season.
Uncertainty still surrounds Xabi Alonso's Anfield future after Real Madrid continued to send out mixed messages about their pursuit of the Spain midfielder.
Just 24 hours after appearing to concede defeat and launching a bitter attack on Benitez over a £35m asking price, Real director Jorge Valdano said: 'Everything can still be turned around. Everyone knows we have always been interested in Alonso.'
