Socceroo star Harry Kewell missed his first step on the comeback trail when he was dropped from the Liverpool Reserves line-up.
Kewell was widely tipped to make his return to match action in a B-Team kickabout against Sheffield United Reserves.
But Liverpool Reserves boss Gary Ablett dropped the Socceroo in favour of blooding some of the club's Under 18s ahead of their FA Youth Cup Final next week.
However Kewell did turn up for training with the first team as they prepared for their Euro clash against Jason Culina's PSV Eindhoven.
The Aussie - crocked since playing for Australia in the World Cup last June and scoring against Croatia - was put through his paces alongside team-mates.
He was initially diagnosed with gout when he turned up for Australia's game against Italy on crutches but that was later found to be septic arthritis.
He has undergone a series of operations with Sydney surgeons and is now close to making a full return.
He looked in good shape in training yesterday, running freely and nimble on the ball. Hopes are still high he can be match fit in time for the Socceroos' Asian Cup campaign in July.
Meanwhile England and Newcastle striker Michael Owen made his return to fitness by scoring in a reserves friendly against Scottish Division One side, Gretna.
The England striker, who has been sidelined since suffering a knee ligament injury in the World Cup group game against Sweden last summer, impressed Magpies boss Glenn Roeder with his progress and scored after 10 minutes.
Fellow striker Shola Ameobi, who played for an hour as he recovers from a long-standing hip problem, was also on the scoresheet although Roeder was keen to stress both players still have a long way to go.
He said: "The two lads played in an 11-a-side game against Gretna at the training ground on Tuesday.
"Michael played for 70 minutes and Shola played for 60 minutes and we are all, including the medical staff, very happy with the way it went.
"But again I have to say that playing an 11-a-side match on the training ground is still a long way from playing Premiership football."
Owen is keen to get back to match fitness to help England's ailing Euro 2008 qualification campaign.
But Liverpool Reserves boss Gary Ablett dropped the Socceroo in favour of blooding some of the club's Under 18s ahead of their FA Youth Cup Final next week.
However Kewell did turn up for training with the first team as they prepared for their Euro clash against Jason Culina's PSV Eindhoven.
The Aussie - crocked since playing for Australia in the World Cup last June and scoring against Croatia - was put through his paces alongside team-mates.
He was initially diagnosed with gout when he turned up for Australia's game against Italy on crutches but that was later found to be septic arthritis.
He has undergone a series of operations with Sydney surgeons and is now close to making a full return.
He looked in good shape in training yesterday, running freely and nimble on the ball. Hopes are still high he can be match fit in time for the Socceroos' Asian Cup campaign in July.
Meanwhile England and Newcastle striker Michael Owen made his return to fitness by scoring in a reserves friendly against Scottish Division One side, Gretna.
The England striker, who has been sidelined since suffering a knee ligament injury in the World Cup group game against Sweden last summer, impressed Magpies boss Glenn Roeder with his progress and scored after 10 minutes.
Fellow striker Shola Ameobi, who played for an hour as he recovers from a long-standing hip problem, was also on the scoresheet although Roeder was keen to stress both players still have a long way to go.
He said: "The two lads played in an 11-a-side game against Gretna at the training ground on Tuesday.
"Michael played for 70 minutes and Shola played for 60 minutes and we are all, including the medical staff, very happy with the way it went.
"But again I have to say that playing an 11-a-side match on the training ground is still a long way from playing Premiership football."
Owen is keen to get back to match fitness to help England's ailing Euro 2008 qualification campaign.
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