Brendan Rodgers has hinted that Joe Cole could be in line for a return to Liverpool’s first-team squad for Thursday’s Europa League tie against Udinese.

The former England international has not featured for the Reds since suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury in the 3-0 defeat to West Brom on the opening day of the Premier League season.

“His attitude is superb and Joe really thinks he can contribute to the group, which is great,” Rodgers told the club’s official website.

“He’s been unfortunate. He’s been out and came back a couple of times, but didn’t quite really get through fitness wise.

“He was out for eight weeks, trained for a couple of weeks, had his first game, scored a good goal and now he is fit. He’s back into training now and looking to fight for a place in the squad.

“He loves his football, Joe, and he’s now fit enough to fight for his position in the group.”

Lucas Leiva and Martin Kelly remain the only long-term injury worries, while Spanish full-back Jose Enrique is close to a return to action.

“We’re fine. We’re pretty much the same as we were at the weekend. The boys that are a bit longer-term like Lucas Leiva are still working well,” said Rodgers at a pre-match press conference.

“There’s nothing new from the weekend. Jose Enrique is back out on the pitches running. Apart from that, everyone is good and the condition of the team is good. We’ll look forward to tomorrow night.”

Though Rodgers fielded a young and inexperienced side in Liverpool’s 5-3 win over Young Boys, he is expected to start a number of more senior players, including Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez, against Udinese.

“I always look at each game and pick a group and team to win it,” he continued.

“We need to ensure we have a group that is strong enough to win the game, but those players [Gerrard and Suarez] will be involved.”

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has expressed his relief after learning that the injury sustained in his side’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United is not as bad as was first feared.

The Denmark international, who has continually struggled with injuries since he joined the Anfield outfit in 2006, admitted that he “feared the worst” after a heavy collision with team-mate Glen Johnson.

Luckily for the 27-year-old, the impact wasn’t as damaging as initially feared, allowing him to complete the full 90 minutes in Liverpool’s 5-2 victory over Norwich City over Carrow Road.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Agger recalled: “I feared the worst when it happened. When I tried to get up the muscle in my knee just didn’t work. I felt really unsteady and the medical staff thought I had done my ligaments.

“I thought it was a bad one and that I would be out for months. But, thankfully, it was just a really hard knock to the knee.

“I only started training again last Friday but I was fine for the Norwich game.

“I felt really comfortable and I’m enjoying it. I think I deserved a bit of luck after the problems I’ve had in the past.”

Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick at Carrow Road as Liverpool secured their first Premier League win of the season and Agger said that the striker’s showing almost left him speechless.

Agger added: “When Luis plays like that it’s difficult to find the words to describe his performance.

“They were three great finishes and the quality he possesses is so good.”

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has expressed his relief after learning that the injury sustained in his side’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United is not as bad as was first feared.

The Denmark international, who has continually struggled with injuries since he joined the Anfield outfit in 2006, admitted that he “feared the worst” after a heavy collision with team-mate Glen Johnson.

Luckily for the 27-year-old, the impact wasn’t as damaging as initially feared, allowing him to complete the full 90 minutes in Liverpool’s 5-2 victory over Norwich City over Carrow Road.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Agger recalled: “I feared the worst when it happened. When I tried to get up the muscle in my knee just didn’t work. I felt really unsteady and the medical staff thought I had done my ligaments.

“I thought it was a bad one and that I would be out for months. But, thankfully, it was just a really hard knock to the knee.

“I only started training again last Friday but I was fine for the Norwich game.

“I felt really comfortable and I’m enjoying it. I think I deserved a bit of luck after the problems I’ve had in the past.”

Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick at Carrow Road as Liverpool secured their first Premier League win of the season and Agger said that the striker’s showing almost left him speechless.

Agger added: “When Luis plays like that it’s difficult to find the words to describe his performance.

“They were three great finishes and the quality he possesses is so good.”