Kewell has not started a match for Liverpool for a year since hobbling out of last season's FA Cup final.

But the winger put himself in contention for a place in Rafael Benitez's side for the May 23 showdown with AC Milan after a dazzling substitutes performance against Charlton last Sunday.

Kewell scored a last-gasp equaliser from the penalty spot after being involved in the first goal and hitting the bar as Liverpool ended their Premiership campaign with a 2-2 draw.

Benitez is refusing to rule out the prospect of Kewell starting against the Italians as Liverpool chase a sixth European Cup success.

Riise labelled Kewell's performance against Charlton as 'brilliant' but reckons his team-mate might have to settle for a place on the bench next Wednesday.

"It's definitely a boost to have Harry back," said Norwegian international Riise.

"I see him every morning when he is doing his work out to get ready for the games and he has been very focused on getting some games in to get his confidence up.

"When he came on against Charlton he was brilliant for the half hour that he played.

"He has got his form right at the right time, maybe it is right that it is too soon to start him."

Riise, who is approaching his sixth anniversary at Anfield, has been one of Liverpool's key performers on the road to Athens.

He used his powerful left foot to score the crucial second goal against Barcelona in the Nou Camp as Benitez's side edged out the Spanish giants on the away goals rule at the last 16 stage - days after an alleged fracas with team-mate Craig Bellamy.

Then the 26-year-old former Monaco player scored in the 3-0 first leg success in Holland against PSV Eindhoven as Liverpool breezed into the semi-finals.

Yet Riise, who set up Steven Gerrard's goal as Benitez's side came from 3-0 behind to win the 2005 final against AC Milan in Istanbul, is not even sure whether he will start next week after Xabi Alonso was forced to settle for a place on the bench against Chelsea in the semi-final second leg.

"With this manager you never know what he is going to do. Even if you play every game all season you never know if he is going to do something surprising," he added.

"It keeps everybody on their toes. You never know who is going to be rested. I think the eleven that start will deserve to play and all the others will support the team.

"The final cannot come quick enough. Hopefully it will not be the same first half as last time, but we will get the same result. We have a lot of respect for AC Milan and they have got respect for us.

"We know it is going to be tough game. These are two exciting teams.

"They have got a lot of experience in these types of games and we have as well. So we are looking forward to it and we know it is going to be hard.

"The final two years ago was the best night ever for me personally as a football player. To be able to win the European trophy is unbelievable.

"I remember everything from start to finish and the celebration afterwards was just unbelievable. The bus tour was supposed to take an hour and half and it took four and a half hours, but we enjoyed it. I think the whole city did as well."

Riise still has two years left on his current deal but is keen to end his career at Anfield. "If the boss and the new owners want me then I will sign because I am happy here and I want to stay here," he said.