Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said on Friday that playing in the third-round game at Deepdale would keep his captain's mind on football rather than the court proceedings arising out of the assault and affray charges he faces.

'He will play in the match, he is ready and is a great professional and it is best for him to be focused on football,' Benitez said.

Gerrard was arrested after a brawl at the Lounge Inn nightclub in Southport just hours after he had scored twice in Liverpool's 5-1 victory at Newcastle on Sunday.

A disc jockey was hospitalised after losing a tooth and needing treatment for a cut forehead, and Gerrard spent 20 hours in police custody before he was charged and released. He is due to appear before a court on Jan 23. -- AP