RAFAEL BENITEZ is considering giving Steven Gerrard an instant return to action in tomorrow’s FA Cup third round tie at Preston North End.

And the Liverpool manager could give Fernando Torres a run-out at Deepdale to ease him back following his five-week absence with a hamstring injury.

The inclusion of Gerrard in a game in which he might ordinarily have been rested is designed to get his focus firmly back on his football following a traumatic week.

After scoring twice in Sunday’s 5-1 win at Newcastle, the Liverpool captain was then arrested in the early hours of Monday morning following an incident at a bar in Southport.

Gerrard has since been charged with assault and affray and will attend North Sefton Magistrates’ Court in Southport on January 23.

He returned to training at Melwood on New Year’s Eve following his release from police custody on Tuesday.

And Benitez is keen for his captain not to dwell on his ongoing plight, leading him to consider his inclusion for the trip to Preston, which kicks off at 5.25pm.

It is thought that getting Gerrard’s mind back on football by giving him game time will be ideal preparation for the much sterner test of Liverpool’s next Premier League game at Stoke City a week on Saturday.

Benitez is set to rest some of his top players against the Championship outfit tomorrow, but sees the game as an opportunity for some game time for Torres as he continues to fight his way back to full fitness following the hamstring problems that have plagued his season.

The striker played in both of his team’s Carling Cup games this season, against Crewe and Tottenham, but has only played 16 times in all competitions due to his recurring injury problems.

His last appearance came in the Champions League win over Marseille on November 26.