LONDON, May 12: Xabi Alonso appeared to be winning his battle to be fit for Liverpool's FA Cup final against West Ham on Saturday.

The Spanish midfielder has resumed training after twisting his ankle in Sunday's Premiership match with Portsmouth and, provided there is no reaction to Friday's session, should start in Cardiff.

West Ham manager Alan Pardew still has worries over striker Dean Ashton (hamstring) and midfielder Matthew Etherington (ankle), neither of whom were able to train on Friday.

Bobby Zamora and Shaun Newton are on stand-by to replace the injured duo while Welsh international Carl Fletcher is set to continue in the centre of midfield in place of the suspended Hayden Mullins.—AFP