Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes that the injury plague that has struck his squad is finally beginning to show signs of abatement.
Fabio Aurelio, Albert Riera and Martin Skrtel have returned to training, as has Steven Gerrard after being unable to train for a fortnight owing to his groin injury.
Benitez also explained the situation with Fernando Torres, who has been playing despite reports that he may require surgery to cure a hernia problem.
"The injury situation is improving," he is quoted by FIFA.com as saying.
"Several players have been in light training. But there is a big difference, though, between being fit and being available.
"Gerrard has trained after being unable to do so for 15 days. He cannot be considered to be fit.
"Torres is a little better. He will train and work with the physios, but whether he will be okay to play against Birmingham [City, on Monday], we do not know yet.
"He could play and we must be careful with him.
"We will look at the situation after every training session. The experience I have had for many years with this sort of problem is to carry on and see how players react. Some can play all season with the problem, some need to stop and rest. They are all different."
The former Valencia coach explained that Torres had put aside his own discomfort to continue leading the line for the Reds, whose lack of attacking alternatives has been cruelly exposed this term.
"Torres is the one who can play," he said.
"He has been in pain, but he wants to play for the team - he has a great mentality. I believe we can carry on with him.
"Let us see how we do in the next game, then they will have 15 days of the international break to get fit, then let's see how they are after that."
Fabio Aurelio, Albert Riera and Martin Skrtel have returned to training, as has Steven Gerrard after being unable to train for a fortnight owing to his groin injury.
Benitez also explained the situation with Fernando Torres, who has been playing despite reports that he may require surgery to cure a hernia problem.
"The injury situation is improving," he is quoted by FIFA.com as saying.
"Several players have been in light training. But there is a big difference, though, between being fit and being available.
"Gerrard has trained after being unable to do so for 15 days. He cannot be considered to be fit.
"Torres is a little better. He will train and work with the physios, but whether he will be okay to play against Birmingham [City, on Monday], we do not know yet.
"He could play and we must be careful with him.
"We will look at the situation after every training session. The experience I have had for many years with this sort of problem is to carry on and see how players react. Some can play all season with the problem, some need to stop and rest. They are all different."
The former Valencia coach explained that Torres had put aside his own discomfort to continue leading the line for the Reds, whose lack of attacking alternatives has been cruelly exposed this term.
"Torres is the one who can play," he said.
"He has been in pain, but he wants to play for the team - he has a great mentality. I believe we can carry on with him.
"Let us see how we do in the next game, then they will have 15 days of the international break to get fit, then let's see how they are after that."
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