Kewell, 29, knows if he doesn't get at least a good month of football under his belt before the end of the season to have a chance of being offered a new contract after his deal runs out in the summer.

Benitez, who wants Kewell fit so that he can start repaying him for the faith that he has shown in him with a Champions League final start, said: "I cannot say how long it will be until he is back. He must be fit before we talk about a new deal though."