Returning Liverpool FC star Fabio Aurelio hoping injury hell is over

THE Carling Cup may lie a distant fourth in Liverpool's list of priorities but as far as Fabio Aurelio is concerned all that glitters is gold.The Brazilian is set to make his first start of the season when the Reds face Leeds United in a mouth-watering third-round clash at Elland Road tonight.Aurelio missed all of pre-season and the opening five matches of the campaign after injuring his knee while back home in South America this summer.But the 29-year-old has battled his way back to fitness and after brief substitute appearances against Debrecen and West Ham he is relishing the chance to get 90 minutes under his belt.Aurelio knows the Carling Cup offers an opportunity for those currently on the fringes to stake a claim for a place in Rafa Benitez's first choice line up.And the left-back is determined to ensure the Reds enjoy an extended run in this season's competition.'I'm really happy to be back playing and to be part of the squad for matches again is great,' he said.'I hope to start at Leeds and I'm sure there will be opportunities in this game for players who haven't been used in Premier League games much recently.'Every opportunity you get you need to show something to the boss and I have to take this chance. Hopefully I can do my job and help us get through.'We want to progress in every competition we're involved in. The Carling Cup offers a possibility for us to win a trophy and we can't allow that chance to pass easily.'It might not be the most prestigious competition but it's still very important to us and we want to go all the way.'

Source: Liverpool_Echo