The teamsheet said Michael Owen would be on the bench, and there he stayed for the entire game, meaning he is still free to play in another club's European campaign this season.

He cut a lonely figure on the bench too.

At the end of the game, Benitez remained very tight lipped too.

"When I decide on 11 starters for the match it's because I have confidence in them, and tonight we had four forwards available," said Benitez, who deftly dodged the Channel Five reporter's questions about Owen.

"He's (Owen) here, no?"

So the wait will go on. But for how long?

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