Alonso is scheduled to play for the reserves against Leeds at Wrexham next Wednesday, signalling a welcome shift in injury fortunes for Benitez.
And the Liverpool manager could also have long-term absentees Djibril Cisse and Chris Kirkland back before the season's end.
Neither Cisse, who suffered a horrendous double leg fracture at Blackburn last October, or Kirkland, who underwent back surgery in January, are expected to feature in the Premiership again this term. But both players are making quicker-than-expected progress and have not given up hope of featuring in the run-in.
Record £14m signing Cisse last week revealed he may return in May and yesterday Benitez confirmed the striker has a remote chance of completing an incredible recovery.
"I am very happy with Cisse," said Benitez. "He is running well and doing a lot of hard work with the physios and he has now completed a full warm-up.
"We no longer believe it's impossible he'll play again this season. We have to listen carefully to the doctors. We know how much Cisse wants to play, but they will decide for us."
And Kirkland revealed: "I hope to play before the end of this season. It's obviously up to the gaffer when I play but all I can do is get myself back and fit.
"I'm running again but I'm still a couple of weeks away from diving and making saves but I'm hoping to be back in action this season."
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