Liverpool defender Joel Matip has said that he is "ready" to return to action following a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.
Matip has not featured for the Reds since March due to a thigh injury, missing the closing stages of the season including Liverpool's run to the Champions League final.
However, the Cameroon international believes that he is ready for a run-out during Saturday's pre-season friendly against Bury in order to take the next step in his recovery.
"If the manager decides [I can play] I would be happy. I think I am ready. Of course I am in full training but I think to get the real full fitness everybody needs a bit longer, me especially after a long injury, but we are all on a good way and me as well," he told the club's official website.
"You need this time on the pitch to be ready... I'm looking forward to these pre-season games, to get fit and get back to a good level. I spent a lot of time over the summer here in Liverpool to be ready and to get fit. Every football player wants to be fit, but especially after a season with a few injuries you want this more.
"It's a long way to go [until the first match of the season at home to West Ham] but I try to work on my own fitness and to be ready. You need sometimes the ball to get this feeling back, to know how you move again, to get self-confidence in your own movements. This needs some time, but I'm still looking forward to the new steps like playing friendly games. I am quite positive."
Matip could have a chance to cement a place in the team alongside Virgil van Dijk, with Dejan Lovren expected to miss the start of the season due to his prolonged involvement in the World Cup with Croatia.
Barney Corkhill
