SOCCER: Steaua Bucharest v Liverpool: THE RECOVERY process may be more psychological than physical for Joe Cole in Romania tonight after Roy Hodgson admitted the midfielder's poor start at Liverpool had sent his confidence plummeting.
Cole will make his first appearance in five weeks against Steaua Bucharest having suffered a hamstring strain at Bolton in October and, on the eve of his scheduled comeback at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, an ankle injury in training. On top of a three-match suspension collected on his Premier League debut for the club and a loss of form, Cole has struggled to match the expectations that accompanied his arrival on a free transfer from Chelsea.
Hodgson revealed it has taken a collective effort to protect the 29-year-old’s morale. He said: “He would obviously have liked to hit the ground running but it’s not been possible, largely because of injuries, but he has a long time with us, a long contract and we know what he’s capable of. The sooner he produces it the better for me, but there is no pressure on him in that respect.
“He isn’t a naturally confident character. He suffers when things are not going his way. Everyone at the club has worked hard to make sure he doesn’t take it too hard and take too much on himself, because he’s quite happy to take responsibility.
“Sometimes those players can take too much on themselves and push themselves even further down. Everyone at the club, but in particular the senior players and his England colleagues, have done a great job encouraging him.”
Injuries to Jamie Carragher (shoulder) and Steven Gerrard, (hamstring) plus Hodgson’s reluctance to employ first-team regulars on Europa League away duty, have resulted in an inexperienced squad travelling to Romania.
Hodgson admits Liverpool may be low on leadership against Steaua but, having obtained a draw with a makeshift team in Naples earlier in the group, he believes no member of his squad will be overawed.
“I have still got Pepe (Reina). He might be away from the action in the goal but, to be fair, if you take the two most experienced players out of most teams, there would be plenty in our position. Not many teams boast three, four or five leaders in the team.”
The likes of Dirk Kuyt, Raul Meireles, Fernando Torres, Paul Konchesky, Glen Johnson and Maxi Rodriguez have been rested.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
STEAUA BUCHAREST(4-4-2): Tatarusanu; Bonfim, Alves, Gardos, Latovlevici; Nicolita, Gomes, Bicfalvi, Tanase; Stancu, Surdu.
LIVERPOOL(4-2-3-1): Reina; Kelly, Kyrgiakos, Wilson, Aurelio; Lucas, Poulsen; Shelvey, Cole, Jovanovic; Ngog.
GuardianService
