Wait is over for Hamann

14 April 2012

Michael Owen says he cannot wait for Dietmar Hamann to get back into the Liverpool team - and he might not have to wait much longer.

England striker Owen started his own comeback following an ankle injury in the goalless draw at Middlesbrough on Saturday and is poised to face Steaua Bucharest in the second leg of the UEFA Cup secondround tie at Anfield tomorrow night.

It has been a much longer road back for midfielder Hamann, 30, but the end is in sight. He was left out of the reserve side which played Manchester City last night and is in line for his first start of the season tomorrow as Liverpool seek to capitalise on the 1-1 draw they earned in Romania.

Owen said: 'Didi's been a massive loss for us this season. I don't think there are many better holding midfielders in the world than Didi. I'm looking forward to having him fit and back in the team again, and so is everyone from the fans through to the coaching staff and management. He's a fantastic player for us.'

Hamann, who returned to Germany in the summer for surgery to clear a longstanding shin problem, has managed only a few minutes of action so far this season - coming on as a late substitute in the Carling Cup win at Blackburn on October 29.

In his absence, Liverpool have struggled to make an impact on the Premiership.

He showed his worth following his £8million move from Newcastle in the summer of 1999 and was a key figure in Liverpool's record-breaking run when they won five trophies in the space of six months in 2001.

The following summer he was also a major performer for his country as they reached the World Cup Final in Japan before going down to Brazil.

Hamann certainly does not want to leave Anfield. He said: 'I've still got a season left after this one so there's no point in beginning negotiations at this stage, but I've always been happy here. I like it here and I like the club.

'We've enjoyed some good times over the past few years and I have no intention of leaving so long as the club want me.

'I've been back in training for the last four weeks and played a few reserve games. It's now just a question regaining my match fitness and form. Then it's up to the manager when he needs me. I feel ready to return and hopefully I'll be back soon.'

Manager Gerard Houllier insisted that goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, who lost his place to Chris Kirkland at Middlesbrough on Saturday, will not be allowed to leave.

Houllier said: 'Jerzy Dudek is not for sale. If a player was for sale every time he was dropped, we would end up with about six players in our squad.

'We have just lost Steve Finnan to a calf injury, Jamie Carragher is already out with a broken leg and Markus Babbel and Gregory Vignal are out on loan. That should teach us a lesson.

'We won't have Steve for four weeks, which is a major blow. We will look at a few options, but Salif Diao will probably play against Bucharest.'

Houllier is also concerned about Florent Sinama-Pongolle after the young French striker suffered an ankle injury against Middlesbrough at the weekend.

The manager said: 'We will also see how Florent is later in the week, but he is in treatment because of the tackle by Franck Queudrue.'

Owen has also missed Carragher. He said: 'He's always lively and keeps everyone on their toes. We probably miss his buzz in the dressing room and it will be a good day when he comes back.'

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Wait is over for Hamann

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