DANNY MURPHY makes a first return to Liverpool with Charlton on Saturday backed by a ringing endorsement from manager Alan Curbishley.

Since his £2.5m move from Anfield in the summer, Curbishley has supported and played the midfielder while elements of the club support have called for him to be dropped.

Now, after Murphy’s best game yet for the club in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Newcastle, the manager is convinced he is gradually emerging from a difficult start to produce the form that made him an England international.

Curbishley said: “When Danny came here, he was, I believe, quite unfit because he missed a lot of pre-season with Liverpool and had to get fit in the first team. Against Newcastle, he moved up a notch and I’m sure a player of his high calibre will come to the fore.

“We’ll see in the next couple of weeks. I think that Matt Holland’s return after a long injury will not only give us a special presence in midfield but enable Danny to make those surging runs that he loves to make.

"On Sunday, with so many internationals scattered around the pitch, Danny showed what a good player he is.”

Murphy accepts he has come in for criticism, but said: “I’m not bothered about things like that - I’ve been there before. It’s only because of the expectancy levels on me. But that expectancy is there from me too.”

Murphy also admitted he has drawn a line under his England career. He said: “I’m a realist and don’t fantasise about getting into the England side.”

Saturday’s referee will be Andy D’Urso who returns after a 28-day suspension imposed by the FA for failing to dismiss Blackburn’s Barry Ferguson after showing the second yellow card.