Litmanen: Houllier optimistic about his return to fitness (LaurenceGriffiths/Allsport)

Liverpool's England midfielder has been booked in to see a specialist later this week amid fears his season may be brought to a premature end if an operation is required immediately.

Houllier is concerned about the recurring nature of Barmby's condition, after confirming that he had suffered the same injury twice before, but is convinced he will be given the all-clear to step up his bid to be fit for Liverpool's FA Cup final date with Arsenal and UEFA Cup final with Alaves four days later.

The Liverpool manager was just as upbeat about Jari Litmanen's prospects of recovering from a badly broken wrist to lend his vast experience and matchwinning flair to the quest for a historic cup treble.

'It is looking good for both of them to be in contention for the last week or so of the season,' said Houllier, whose side have already completed the first stage of a possible trophy hat-trick after lifting the Worthington Cup at Birmingham's expense.

'Jari is already back in light training and doing a bit of ball work. We are looking at the beginning of May for him, and, if he makes it, he will wear a protective plaster cast on his arm.

'Nicky is still in plaster, and clearly a solution must be found when you consider this is the third time he has been forced to miss matches by the same injury. We will know more after he has seen the specialist later in the week, but I am hopeful about him.

'I do not think he will need an operation to clear this up, and I am confident that both Nicky and Jari may be available for the last week of our season.' After suffering the heartbreak of two FA Cup semi-final defeats in his days with Tottenham, Barmby spelled out his longing to make it third time lucky and was elated at helping Liverpool overcome the plucky challenge of Second Division Wycombe in a 2-1 win at Villa Park.

But his celebrations were marred by a return of a nagging ankle injury that forced him to hobble off before the end and left him facing a desperate race against time to fulfil his dream of playing in a final.

With Jamie Redknapp continuing his fight for fitness by launching his comeback from a longstanding knee injury for the reserves at Anfield last night, Houllier will not take any risks over his line-ups for Liverpool's two remaining finals.

But Barmby has made it plain he does not intend missing out for a third time, and is ready to intensify his efforts to claim a place against Arsenal if he is given the go-ahead by his specialist in the next few days. Redknapp came through unscathed following his latest comeback last night.