• Europa League

Carroll set for sub role against Braga but Gerrard out

ESPN staff
March 9, 2011
Andy Carroll has managed just 16 minutes for Liverpool since joining in January © Getty Images
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Liverpool striker Andy Carroll will start on the bench against Braga on Thursday as he continues his comeback from a thigh problem.

Carroll, a £35 million signing from Newcastle, made his Liverpool debut in the win over Manchester United at the weekend, having been sidelined for two months.

After managing 16 minutes against United, he is expected to play a more significant part in the Europa League last-16, first leg tie at Anfield.

"He'll play some more minutes against Braga and hopefully he'll be involved more and more with each game," said Dr Peter Brukner, head of sports science and medicine at Liverpool. "Overall, we are really happy with his progress.

"The physio and fitness guys have worked really hard with Andy and to his credit he's not shirked the issue. He's worked very hard to get himself right. It was very frustrating for him not being able to be out there with the other players.

"He had full training last week and had his 16 minutes on Sunday. Unless anything goes wrong between now and Thursday, we'll expect him to play for a longer period of time."

However, Steven Gerrard has not travelled for the game in Portugal due to a groin problem.

The Liverpool captain has been struggling with the niggle over the past few days and has been afforded a period of rest by his manager, rather than taking part in the European encounter on Thursday.

Gerrard has played only 45 minutes of the competition this season, coming off the bench in the home game against Napoli to score a brilliant hat-trick.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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