Harry Kewell is not even thinking about a new contract as he tries to claim a regular place in the Liverpool side.
The Australian midfielder, whose contract runs out in the summer, has suffered four years of injury problems at Anfield.
From the new year he would be free to discuss his future with other clubs.
But after figuring in 11 of Liverpool's last 14 matches, it is clear that boss Rafael Benitez is giving Kewell every chance to prove his worth and win a new deal.
Benitez is currently trying to bolster his defence, and after Sunday's 0-0 draw at Manchester City he made it clear he was trying to bring in a young centre-back due to the injury problems of Sami Hyypia and Daniel Agger.
Chief executive Rick Parry insists there is money to spend, despite the very public fall-out between Benitez and the club's American owners, but it is unlikely the Spanish manager will have anything but a limited amount to spend in this transfer window.
Parry said: "Money is always available if we need it. We are not going to give our plans away, but if we need to do something, we will do it."
Alvaro Arbeloa is expected to continue in central defence against Wigan on Wednesday, with Hyypia (ankle) and Agger (broken metatarsal) still unlikely to be fit, while youngster Jack Hobbs is unlikely to be risked against the potential return of Emile Heskey.
And Kewell will also hope to get a further run in the side for Anfield's first game of 2008.
Kewell, in a Liverpool FC magazine interview, explained his attitude to the next few months.
He said: "The last four years have been hellish with one injury after another.
"But I can't even think about a new contract. That is what people have been talking about and saying about me, but I will tell the truth so the fans know the truth.
"And that is why I haven't honestly thought about it. I can't think about it at the moment.
"With my injury history and my record over the last two seasons, games and goals wise, I can look no further than the next match.
"That is all I am prepared to do. Take one training session at a time and do my best and give my all every time."
Kewell, who has been hit by a succession of groin problems, added: "Given my Liverpool career, and the way it has gone, all I want to do is take the chance that the manager is giving me.
"I want to repay him for that, and the boys who have helped me through, for sticking with me and not giving up.
"You don't want to know what I have been through in four years, with injury after injury. The places I've been mentally during all those times, it has been pretty dark."
Liverpool will have Peter Crouch back from his three-match suspension to be in contention against Wigan, the side he broke his goalless run against last year.
Source : www.football365.com
