Liverpool midfielder Fabinho could be fit for next week’s home clash with Leicester after making a return to light training.
The Brazilian started Saturday’s 4-3 win over Crystal Palace but was forced off late on with a minor hamstring strain.
It was feared he could be out for at least a fortnight but he’s progressed well in recent days and has made a sooner-than-expected return to training in the hope he might be available for the Reds’ next game, at home to the Foxes on January 30.
Fabinho will be monitored by the medical staff and will be given every chance to prove his fitness before the clash with Leicester.
His speedy recovery would be welcomed by boss Jurgen Klopp as he already has Dejan Lovren, Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the sidelines, while James Milner is suspended for Wednesday’s clash after being sent off against Crystal Palace.
If he is fit, Fabinho will probably be asked to fill in at the back again, either on the right or centrally, although Gomez, Lovren and Alexander-Arnold are all also closing in on returns.
Meanwhile, Fabinho has described club and international team-mate Roberto Firmino as an all-round striker after he notched his fifth goal in five games against the Eagles.
He told the club’s website: “He is a player who, outside the box, is really smart and he makes the team tick. In the box, his finishing is indisputably good, both with his right foot, left foot and in the air.
“If you look at the four goals he scored against Arsenal and City, you can tell he’s a big-game player. His confidence is sky high and I hope he keeps up this confidence and keeps scoring goals for a long time to come.”
