Kewell blow for Reds

The 25-year-old midfielder had looked set for his first appearance for the club since he sustained ankle ligament damage in the Carling cup defeat to Bolton in early December, but a beleaguered Gerard Houllier has been forced to admit defeat in his bid to add the talented performer to his mis-firing squad for the weekend game.

Houllier said: "There's nothing new to tell you really with regards to team news. I don't think any of our injured players will be back for this game.

"That means we're still without Michael Owen, Harry Kewell, Jamie Carragher, Milan Baros and Steve Finnan. Stephane Henchoz played for the reserves in midweek and looks to be okay which is good news. He will travel with us to Wolves.

"I hope that we'll have one, maybe two, of the injured lads back for our game against Bolton on Boxing Day."