LIVERPOOL FC goalkeeper Pepe Reina is rated as doubtful for Sunday’s Merseyside Derby at Goodison. Reina, who strained his hamstring whilst away on international duty with Spain last week, missed Saturday’s Premier League win over Reading at Anfield and has already been ruled out of tonight’s home clash with Russian Premier League leaders, Anzhi.
It was hoped that the Spanish international would have overcome his injury in time to be selected for Sunday’s lunchtime showdown with Everton, however, Reds Assistant Manager Colin Pascoe’s comments have raised concerns over whether Reina will be fit to return.
“We’re not quite sure at the moment but hopefully not too long,” he admitted.
“He’s doing his rehab at the moment, he’s working hard in the training so we’ve just got to assess him over the weekend and we’ll see then.”
Brad Jones, who deputised for Reina on Saturday (keeping a clean sheet in the process), will line-up against Anzhi on Thursday night, and is upbeat about the prospect of challenging the Spaniard for the No. 1 spot, believing it promotes healthy competition for places.
“For me, it’s about getting opportunities and it’s difficult to compete with someone if you’re not out there playing. I’m grateful to have those chances and show what I can do,” said the Australian.
“Hopefully I’ve justified being given those chances and it can only be good to have competition. I think amongst the goalkeepers, the competitions’s strong. Peter Gulacsi’s in there as well.
“I think we train really hard so for the squad in general there’s a good bit of competition and I think we’ve got players who can slot into the team if needed so at the minute it’s healthy.”
You can catch up with Neil on Twitter @Neil1980 or on his blog http://itsallinthegameblog.wordpress.com/
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