Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that midfielder Curtis Jones has resumed full training, providing a significant boost to Liverpool ahead of their midweek clash against Sheffield United.
The 23-year-old has been sidelined since picking up an ankle injury against Brentford back in February and has missed the last nine matches in all competitions.
The Reds clinched a 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, with only Ibrahima Konate returning to the squad from those who were injured prior to the international break.
However, in his post-match press conference following the victory, Klopp confirmed that Jones is the next player set to return and could be back as early as this week.
"In full training is Curtis," Klopp told reporters. "So he trained with us on Saturday but then had an extra [session] because the minus-one session (day before the game) is not the intensity that Curtis needed.
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"So he was with us and then had an extra shift. So he will be in full training but then exactly for the game let me have a look on that. All the others, slowly but surely but not yet [for Thursday]."
Liverpool have been without a number of key players due to injury in recent weeks, but they were able to welcome Mohamed Salah back to the first team at the start of the month following the hamstring injury he sustained while representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations at the start of the year.
The Reds' top scorer has started the last three matches in all competitions and has found the net in each, including the winner scored against the Seagulls over the weekend.
Andrew Robertson was left out of the squad that beat Brighton, though his return is believed to be imminent after scans showed no serious damage to the ankle he injured while playing for Scotland.
However, the news on Liverpool's vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold was slightly less positive, with the right-back still not ready to return to action.
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Out with a knee issue since February, the Reds' No.66 discussed over the weekend his intentions to make a comeback later this month.
"It's going well now, [I am] finally in the final stages and just excited to get back out there," the 25-year-old told Sky Sports on Sunday.
"It's hard watching and not being a part of it. It's one of the longest [injuries] of my career so far, it gives you that hunger to get back out there and perform. I think a couple of weeks [and I'll be back], if everything keeps going well and there's no setbacks."
Among the players who could return to the squad in the upcoming weeks are Diogo Jota (knee), Alisson Becker (hamstring) and Stefan Bajcetic (calf).
However, Joel Matip (cruciate ligament tear), Thiago Alcantara (muscle) and teenager Ben Doak (meniscus tear) have all been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Liverpool currently lead the Premier League standings with 67 points after 29 matches, two points clear of Arsenal in second place and three ahead of defending champions Manchester City.
Devesh Jaganath
