Liverpool have been boosted by the news that they could have defender Daniel Agger back for the festive fixture list.
The Danish international defender has been out with a calf problem picked up whilst on international duty at the start of October.
But now it seems as if Agger is on target to return within the next month.
“Daniel’s injury is an unusual one,” said the club’s Head of Sports Science, Dr Peter Brukner.
“In the international game a month ago, he got a kick on the calf, and sometimes when that happens you get some calcification in the blood clot that forms there, and unfortunately that has happened in Daniel’s case.
“It’s just taken a lot longer than you would expect for something like that. The calcification, once it appears, takes about a month to dissolve and fully recover.
“Daniel has probably got another three weeks before he is back playing. It’s a very disappointing and frustrating situation but there’s not a lot we can do about it.
“Only time heals this sort of injury, so we just have to be patient with Daniel. But he’ll definitely be back before Christmas.”
The news will boost Roy Hodgson’s men who have been struggling with defensive injuries this season. At left-back, Paul Konchesky and Fabio Aurelio have both picked up frustrating injuries.