LIVERPOOL MANAGER Kenny Dalglish has urged his players to stake their claim for a place in this weekend’s FA Cup final.

They face Fulham at Anfield this evening but the most significant game in terms of their season is the Wembley encounter against Chelsea four days later.

Dalglish is usually adamant he and his players focus on the next match only, but even he has hinted he may pick his team to face Fulham with one eye on the final, in which Liverpool could win their second trophy of the campaign.

“We’ve said to all of the players we want to give you the best possible chance to be available for selection on Saturday,” said the Scot. “We want the strongest possible squad we can to pick from for Saturday’s game, and there are many ways we can do it.

“If someone needs a break we’ll give them a break and if someone needs a game we will give them a game, because every single one of them are more than capable of playing in a cup final for this club.

“It’s going to be a difficult selection as it always is but it’s a difficult selection for tomorrow night as well.”

Striker Andy Carroll has returned to training having been left out of the squad for Saturday’s victory at Norwich as a precaution because of a minor groin problem.

However, Dalglish is unlikely to take any risks ahead of the cup final and that could mean other key players are held back.

Andy Johnson is a doubt for Fulham’s second trip to Merseyside in four days.

Striker Johnson missed Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing at Everton with an adductor injury and was not expected to recover in time.

Stephen Kelly may also have to wait before making his comeback, while winger Bryan Ruiz (foot), Steve Sidwell (hernia) and Zdenek Grygera (knee) are long-term absentees.

Fulham were yesterday still waiting to learn whether manager Martin Jol would be forced to sit out the match. Jol did not travel with the team after missing Saturday’s defeat with a chest infection.