Liverpool have been boosted by the return to training of striker Daniel Sturridge but it may still be too soon for him to feature in Saturday's trip to Manchester United.
The England international has not played since April 8 and after a hip operation in May he has spent much of the summer on a rehabilitation programme in the United States.
He returned to Melwood for individual sessions in late August and Press Association Sport understands he has now joined training with the rest of the first-team squad.
When he first had surgery it was expected Sturridge could be sidelined until October, but manager Brendan Rodgers was more positive with his outlook early this season and the 26-year-old appears to be progressing well.
Rodgers has insisted he will not rush back Sturridge, who had a catalogue of injury problems last season which ruled him out for a total of six months, and erring on the side of caution suggests it is unlikely he will feature at Old Trafford.
