Rafael Benitez has warned Milan Baros he may be about to make him ineligible for any other club in European football this season as he considers using him in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie against CSKA Sofia.
With the prospect of a move to Lyon or Monaco on the cards, many felt this was just a case of Benitez bluffing to get the £7million price he wants for the Czech star.
But Benitez said: "I hope Milan is ready, the last game he played was the friendly against Olympiacos and he played well and scored two goals. He is playing well and I have talked with him."
He continued: "But he is a good professional and you must not forget that when we signed (Fernando) Morientes last season he could not play in the Champions League.
"If you want a player you know he can play 40 games and maybe there are 10 Champions League games and it is not so important that he plays in every game."
If Baros plays against the Bulgarians, he will not be able to play for any other club in a UEFA competition this season.
But Benitez insists that Baros is available for selection and in the right frame of mind to play if called upon.
He said: "Milan is our player and I would have no problem in playing him. When he has played previously this summer he has done very well.
"I have talked with him about the situation as it stands at this moment and he fully understands.
"We also have Djibril Cisse and Morientes to use so there may be no reason to call on Milan. But if I have to then I know he will not let this club down."
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