Benitez targets right-back in the window

Rafa Benitez will spend the final days of the transfer window looking for a solution to solve his right-back problem.

With Glen Johnson making slow progress after damaging his medial ligaments in the win at Aston Villa on December 29, the Liverpool boss is anxious to bring in cover.

Jamie Carragher has been deployed in that position since Johnson was ruled out and has excelled in a number of games, notably the 2-0 win over Spurs last week.

Benitez, though, would prefer to return his vice-captain his favoured - and best - position in the middle and is hoping to find someone who can come and do a job until Johnson is in a position to return.

That, however, is easier said than done. with Liverpool hardly awash with cash and suitable candidates thin on the ground, the chances are Benitez's search will ultimately prove to be a fruitless one. But he is refusing to throw in the towel just yet and has vowed to keep "working hard" in the hope that a gem will be unearthed.

"We have to be careful with what we do," Benitez said.

"There are not too many good players around who are available and we will think. We still have some time but we will not rush if we cannot find the right player. We will try to find the right player for this position."

If the search comes to nothing, Benitez does at least have options to fill in for Johnson.

Martin Kelly - who has been absent since making a fine debut against Lyon in October - has returned to training after a long lay-off, while the calf injury that precluded Philipp Degen's involvement at Wolves is not too serious. Aside from that, Stephen Darby has seen his involvement in the first-team squad increase, to go alongside Carragher's great form.

"We are really pleased to see Carra playing as well as he does when he is in the centre of defence at full-back," said Benitez.

"We have needed him and he is doing well. (Martin) Kelly has been injured but has improved."

With the chances remote of a new face arriving at Anfield before deadline day, all eyes will be on whether Benitez chooses to trim his squad back. Ryan Babel has been the most likely candidate to leave but any suggestions he will depart to Sunderland are wide of the mark.

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