Henchoz may be fit to face Valencia

Stephane Henchoz was today declared fit to travel with Liverpool for their Champions League opener in Valencia tomorrow.

Stephane Henchoz was today declared fit to travel with Liverpool for their Champions League opener in Valencia tomorrow.

The Swiss defender missed Liverpool's 3-2 victory at Bolton on Saturday with a calf injury. He will take part in a training session at the Stadio Mestalla tonight before the manager decides if he is fit enough to start.

Houllier said: "I can't say whether he will be fit to play, we need to see him in training first, but it is worth taking him and I will give him every chance".

If Henchoz fails the fitness test, Liverpool could continue with Senegal midfielder Salif Diao alongside Sami Hyypia in defence.

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Marcus Babbel is still short of fitness, Abel Xavier has a stomach upset, Jamie Carragher is needed at full-back and the only other alternative is to move Djimi Traore into the centre.

Vladimir Smicer, who is still recovering from a broken toe, did not travel.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD: Dudek, Carragher, Xavier, Henchoz, Hyypia, Traore, Murphy, Hamann, Gerard, Riise, Diao, Cheyrou, Baros, Owen, Heskey, Diouf, Berger, Kirkland.

PA