"We know Fernando has a problem, and we have to manage it," said Benitez.
"The positive thing is that he is improving, and he is in less pain each time he plays and trains.
"Hopefully if we can continue doing well with him, he will not need an operation - that is our idea.
"Now it is a question of how he feels and what will happen if he plays.
"I talk to the players after every training session and every game. After United, he needed four days to be ready again. After Fulham, he told me he was much better but still feeling something.
"Yesterday he was better still and hopefully tomorrow he will be even better."