"Crouch is okay now. He's played a reserve game, where he performed really well. He's been training normally and he's now fit and ready for selection," said Benitez.
"I'm happy to have him back and it's possible he'll play. He's going to be a good player for us and crucial to our away form. He's already confirmed the ideas I had when I tried to sign him. I know I've bought a quality player in Crouch.
"He's not just good in the air, but strong on the ground. Everyone who's seen him, even the fans who've come to see us train, have commented to me how good they think he is on the ground. If he plays at the level we hope, we know we're going to improve."