Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho is set to give the Merseyside team a huge boost by returning to action in the EFL Cup semi-final, first leg against Southampton on Wednesday at St Mary's.
The Brazilian has been sidelined since late November after picking up an ankle injury against Sunderland in the Premier League at Anfield.
Coutinho took part in first-team training last week and he was involved once again at Liverpool's Melwood training base on Monday, which has given Reds boss Jurgen Klopp the option of selecting the 24-year-old against the Saints.
Klopp on Coutinho: "I think Phil is fit enough to be part of the squad."#SOULIV pic.twitter.com/AjXNAn0b3a
"I think Phil is fit enough for being part of the squad,"? said Klopp.
"That means it could be minutes, how much I don't know. It depends on the game, of course. He is on a very good way.
"It was six or seven weeks, something like this, so that's long. And so he needs minutes in training, especially, but then of course as soon as possible minutes in games.
"We will see how we do it, there [has been] no final decision made until now.
Most Premier League goals directly involved in for Liverpool this season:
A. Lallana (14)
S. Mane (13)
P. Coutinho (10)
R. Firmino (9) pic.twitter.com/dMXazMt0qE
"I think [today] was the third complete session he did with the team, tomorrow again would be the fourth. It's not that many, but for being in the squad, I think it's enough. And then we will see."?
Klopp also provided an update on several other first-team players struggling with injuries ahead of their EFL Cup match, which includes the Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.
He said: "All good. No new injuries, and all the rest are on their way back. How close? It's different.
INJURY UPDATE
? Milner "no issues"
? Matip "first steps back"
? Henderson "on a good way"
? Coutinho in traininghttps://t.co/gEypATFPHB
"Joel, first steps, if you want, in team training. Millie, no issues anymore. Hendo, on a very good way, because he is a really mentally strong guy.
"It's still painful, I think, but he is doing well. We will see what we can do with him. Hopefully, Thursday [he'll be in] team training.
"?"?