Trio in contention

Last updated : 10 January 2009 By Al Campbell
The trio have fully recovered from their recent injuries and are in contention for places in the starting line up for today's game against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

"They can play. It depends on the other players but all three could start," said Rafael Benitez.

"The competition for each position is good for the team. These are good players and big names, so the other players have to work really hard if they want to stay in the team.

"That is the difference between now and other seasons - we can change players without changing the level of the team."