Liverpool have been boosted by the news that Steven Gerrard is “on track” to return from injury ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Fulham at Anfield.
The Reds skipper has been sidelined with a hamstring injury picked up during England’s 2-1 defeat to France at Wembley Stadium last month.
Gerrard will definitely miss Wednesday night’s Europa League visit from Utrecht, but manager Roy Hodgson is hopeful of having the midfielder fit for the weekend.
“Steven’s on track for the weekend,” Hodgson told the club’s official web site.
“He’s worked very hard to get back and Steven and Jamie Carragher are the type who hate not playing.
“Steven has been determined to get back as quickly as possible and the physios are happy with him and he feels quite good.
“The big question when a player has a hamstring injury or a slight pull is when do you actually say he is totally fit and give him the go-ahead to play?”
“We have to be careful there is no risk of the injury reoccurring and I am in the hands to some extent of the sports science people as to when he can come back.
“I take their word for it and I can’t really push the subject because I would be devastated if we brought him back too early, but he still hopes he will be fit to play some part in the game against Fulham and so am I.”
