Kewell's Liverpool return imminent
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Fit-again Kewell is poised to boost Liverpool's Champions League bid
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LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) -- Australian Harry Kewell should be fit to return for Liverpool against Bolton Wanderers in the Premiership on Friday.
And England striker Michael Owen's comeback after injury problems has been pencilled in for January 4 against Yeovil in the FA Cup third round.
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier said forward Kewell successfully trained on Tuesday after missing three weeks with an ankle injury.
"He is improving every day and I think he will be back on Boxing Day (December 26)," Houllier told reporters. "Michael needs another fortnight but I hope he can be there against Yeovil.
"Nearly every team would be affected by the loss of their main players. They have scored 70 per cent of our goals."
Kewell and Owen have scored 13 of Liverpool's 23 Premier League goals this season and their absence has left the team adrift of the title race in ninth place.
Owen has been suffering from various leg injuries and has not played since Liverpool's 1-0 UEFA Cup win over Steaua Bucharest on November 27 when he tore a thigh muscle.
England defender Jamie Carragher is also back in training after a broken leg and should be fit in mid-January.
Houllier has been under mounting pressure but the French manager predicted an injury-hit Liverpool would be in next season's Champions League.
"Every time I read a newspaper I see I am an under-fire manager, and it is only Christmas. I think it is funny," he said.
"I am quite hopeful that once everyone is back we will compete for fourth place. That is my new year's wish, to have no more injuries and get back into the top four to qualify for the Champions League."
