Byline: SCOTT McLEOD
MARKUS BABBEL is on course for a return to the first team frame at Liverpool in the next month.
Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has resisted the temptation to rush Babbel back to first team football following his 12 month spell on the sidelines suffering from the debilitating Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
The potentially life-threatening illness can paralyse sufferers and put Babbel's professional career in doubt.
He has made a steady but impressive return to full fitness since recovering from the illness and his progress has delighted assistant boss Phil Thompson, who watched him complete 90 minutes for the reserves against Sheffield Wednesday earlier this week.
The player is now weeks away from pushing for a first team place once again.
Thompson revealed: ``We talked to Markus before the start of the season and told him to be patient.
We always said it would be three months until he is back to full fitness and it looks like that estimate is going to prove right.
``He played very well indeed for the reserves against a good striker in Lloyd Owusu (on Monday).
``When a player has been away for as long as a year, it does take time to get back to genuine full fitness. You look for signs of that not just in terms of running but in terms of timing and positioning.
``Markus is nearly there now and the attitude of him and the other senior players for the reserves this week was outstanding.
``It was good to see Markus using his experience to help the younger players and his overall performance was the biggest bonus for me besides the result.''
Babbel's return to action was warmly received by the Anfield faithful when he lined up at right-back against Lazio in the pre-season friendly on July 31.
But whilst he showed that night he has not lost any of his ability, Thompson admits the coaching staff were never going to throw Babbel back into the fray at the start of the season.
He added: ``He was on an adrenaline rush then because he had just come back after so long away. But a player can't continue like that after such a long absence. We always knew it would take time.''
The Reds have received a further boost with news that the operation to solve Stephane Henchoz's calf injury has been a success.
Thompson added: ``The surgeon was very pleased and he is expected to be back in four to five weeks. That is good news because Stephane is a vital member of the team.
``Djimi Traore will keep his place warm whilst he is away.''
Meanwhile, Liverpool have scoffed at suggestions Abel Xavier is suffering from the same illness which afflicted Babbel.
The Portuguese defender has been left weary by the bug which is preventing him from training.
He said: ``I feel very tired and get enormous fatigue, but it is a question of regaining my health.
``I cannot train fully at the moment. I am slowly doing some gym work, but I hope to recover soon.
``My illness cannot be compared to Babbel's. I have the same kind of symptoms, but that does not mean it is the same diagnosis.''
The Reds have been linked with a possible pounds 3m swoop for young Sheffield United midfielder Michael Tonge when the transfer window re-opens in January.
