Charlton Athletic: Curbs tips Murphy to shine

Danny Murphy returns to Anfield on Saturday for the first time since his summer transfer to Charlton with new boss Alan Curbishley maintaining the former Liverpool midfielder can once again earn an England call-up.

During his seven years on Merseyside, Murphy picked up five major trophies and was brought into the full national team by Sven-Goran Eriksson in November 2001.

The one-time Crewe trainee found himself recalled to the 2002 World Cup squad following an injury to his then Anfield team-mate Steven Gerrard, only to suffer a broken metatarsal bone while training in Japan and sit out the entire tournament.

The last of his nine England caps came as a substitute in a friendly against Denmark at Old Trafford during December 2003.

Murphy made no secret of his disappointment to find himself out of the first-team picture following Rafael Benitez's arrival at Anfield during the summer.

And while he is now relishing the chance of a fresh start following his 2.5million switch to south-east London on the eve of the new season, the 27-year-old admitted he considered it a move which would not enhance his prospects of breaking back into Eriksson's plans.

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