Borini Closing On Comeback

Liverpool striker Fabio Borini is set to return to training next week as he steps up his comeback from a broken foot.

Borini initially suffered the injury during a 2-1 Premier League defeat at home to Manchester United on September 23, and has not played since aggravating it while on duty with the Italy Under-21 squad in October.

The 21-year-old, signed from Roma last summer, is approaching full fitness again, and is ready to give manager Brendan Rodgers an extra option in attack.

Rodgers strengthened his forward line on Wednesday with the £12 million signing of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea, and is hopeful that the additional forward power in support of Luis Suarez will help his side climb the Premier League table over the second half of the season.

"Fabio will start training next week," Rodgers said. "We've got players coming back now, which is great. Having Daniel come in the door and Fabio Borini returning from injury will be great for us.

"That will give us flexibility within the group."

Rodgers has indicated that Sturridge will be in the squad for Sunday's FA Cup third-round trip to non-league Mansfield, and that Suarez may be given a breather after a productive Christmas that brought him five goals in four matches over 12 days.

"Luis is a player who loves playing," Rodgers said. "That's why he's here - to play games and score goals.

"But he's coming off the back of a real busy period where he's given everything in the games and scored goals.

"I'll assess the team. We'll look at that. We'll pick a team to win the game."

Rodgers, though, will definitely be without left-back Jose Enrique, who is facing six weeks on the sidelines with the hamstring injury sustained during the 3-0 win at QPR on December 30.

He said: "Jose Enrique was our only real disappointment over the Christmas period.

"He's looked fantastic in the games, but it looks like he will probably be out for up to six weeks with his hamstring.

"It's a shame, because in the game, he felt nothing. Sometimes you can enter into the games and be tight and stiff, but he felt great even within the game, so it's unfortunate that he's done that."