Benitez hopeful over Gerrard recovery

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

With the captain ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring tear it is up to the rest of the side to raise their game to ensure leaders Manchester United do not extend their two-point advantage further.

"He is an important player for us. It is always more difficult to play without him," said Benitez. "You can't change things so it is better to concentrate on the next game."

The Spaniard is slightly fortunate that, because of an international week, there are only two league fixtures - against Portsmouth on Saturday and Manchester City - in a short month.

With striker Fernando Torres having already missed a chunk of the season with a hamstring problem Benitez can ill afford to have his captain on the sidelines for too long.

Gerrard's injury, in the 1-0 FA Cup fourth round replay defeat to Everton on Wednesday, is the latest in a number of distractions for a club trying to win their first league title for 19 years.

After Torres' injury problems there was then Benitez's well-publicised rant against Sir Alex Ferguson and his contract dispute with the owners.

The sale on Monday of striker Robbie Keane back to Tottenham after just six months for a considerable loss because the player was not happy playing a bit-part role for the team was yet another issue.

All the time the United have gone about their business efficiently, deposing Liverpool at the top of the table and still having a match in hand. Benitez, however, remains positive.

"We are out of the cup so maybe we will have more time and the players will not play too many games so will be ready for the Champions League and Premier League," he said. "We are in a very good position and we need to win against Portsmouth and keep going."