Defender Daniel Agger's hopes of making a dramatic return to Liverpool's side at the weekend were almost certainly dashed when the weather postponed his comeback in the reserves on Thursday night.
The Denmark centre-back was scheduled to play Blackburn at Morecambe's Christie Park ground but a waterlogged pitch prevented the match going ahead and manager Rafael Benitez is unlikely to pick the player into Saturday's trip to Middlesbrough with him having no action for four months because of a broken foot.
Benitez, after another taxing week when his position has again been in question, needs to get Liverpool back on track quickly and will now probably stick with veteran Sami Hyypia at the Riverside.
The Finn made his comeback from injury in Sunday's FA Cup third round draw at Luton, where he looked rusty and short of pace.
Now Benitez must decide whether to stick with Hyypia or revert to Alvaro Arbeloa.
Arbeloa and Brazilian fellow full-back Fabio Aurelio, along with captain Steven Gerrard, were both ruled out at Kenilworth Road due to injury.
All three have been battling for fitness this week but striker Fernando Torres, rested at Luton, is expected to return at the Riverside, along with Javier Mascherano and Jose Reina.
Agger, who must wait until January 22 for the next reserve fixture, will no doubt try to impress Benitez in training and prove that despite not playing since September he is worth the risk of being selected without playing in a warm-up match.
"I am almost there but of course I am going to need some playing time," said the Dane.
"Running around on the training ground is not the same as doing it on the pitch but I am almost back to full fitness now.
"I am very much looking forward to getting back. It is not fun being on the sidelines, especially at a club like this.
"There is massive competition for places and it is all about giving your absolute best every time you play.
"It goes without saying that it is hard to do that when you are out, and being out for four months over such a small bone in my foot has been very frustrating."
The Denmark centre-back was scheduled to play Blackburn at Morecambe's Christie Park ground but a waterlogged pitch prevented the match going ahead and manager Rafael Benitez is unlikely to pick the player into Saturday's trip to Middlesbrough with him having no action for four months because of a broken foot.
Benitez, after another taxing week when his position has again been in question, needs to get Liverpool back on track quickly and will now probably stick with veteran Sami Hyypia at the Riverside.
The Finn made his comeback from injury in Sunday's FA Cup third round draw at Luton, where he looked rusty and short of pace.
Now Benitez must decide whether to stick with Hyypia or revert to Alvaro Arbeloa.
Arbeloa and Brazilian fellow full-back Fabio Aurelio, along with captain Steven Gerrard, were both ruled out at Kenilworth Road due to injury.
All three have been battling for fitness this week but striker Fernando Torres, rested at Luton, is expected to return at the Riverside, along with Javier Mascherano and Jose Reina.
Agger, who must wait until January 22 for the next reserve fixture, will no doubt try to impress Benitez in training and prove that despite not playing since September he is worth the risk of being selected without playing in a warm-up match.
"I am almost there but of course I am going to need some playing time," said the Dane.
"Running around on the training ground is not the same as doing it on the pitch but I am almost back to full fitness now.
"I am very much looking forward to getting back. It is not fun being on the sidelines, especially at a club like this.
"There is massive competition for places and it is all about giving your absolute best every time you play.
"It goes without saying that it is hard to do that when you are out, and being out for four months over such a small bone in my foot has been very frustrating."
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