The Italian has been out with a dislocated shoulder, but could return this term, while Martin Kelly will not be rushed back

Liverpool striker Fabio Borini could return from his dislocated shoulder before the end of the season, according to the club’s head of performance Glen Driscoll.

Italian international Borini sustained the injury against Swansea last month, but Driscoll is optimistic that the 21-year-old’s recovery from surgery is ahead of schedule.

“Fabio Borini was outside for the first time today, so he’s starting that progression – passing balls, running and doing ball work,” Driscoll told the club’s official website. “He’s due to be probably another six weeks from this point on.

“The injury he’s had is normally eight to 12 weeks. He’s quite a quick rehabilitator.

“At the moment, it’s looking pretty positive for Fabio that he could be back ahead of schedule and maybe make the end of the season.”

Meanwhile, defender Martin Kelly will not be risked this term as he continues his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury.

Kelly ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during September’s game against Manchester United but Driscoll says the defender should look no further than the club and national team captain for inspiration during his recovery.

“Martin is doing extremely well; he’s probably at the late stage of his rehab,” Driscoll added.

“Martin should look at what Steven Gerrard has achieved this season; people would never have considered that he would be available for a full campaign.

“He should take great hope from that and know that if he continues to work and continues his professionalism, hopefully the future is bright. We hope to give him every chance.

“We’ll probably look to prioritise getting him back for pre-season 110 per cent fit – 10% fitter, stronger and quicker, more powerful and agile than he was previously.

“He’ll probably be in a position where it will be tempting to put him into games again this season. But it will show class and quality if we make sure that he’s in a very strong position so he can fly next season.

“He’s someone who has definitely benefited from the collaboration of the whole medical department. It’s been a really great team effort, where maybe a dozen medical staff members have come together and collaborated.

“We like to encourage the whole department to have an opinion and that helps us come together and guide the player in the right direction.

“Martin has almost been a showcase for the quality of our medical science department. He’s getting the best of all our staff and it’s going very well.”

The veteran striker has reflected on his career following the announcement of his retirement at the end of the season, revealing he enjoyed his time with the Reds the most

Retiring Stoke City striker Michael Owen has revealed that he felt most at home during his time with boyhood club Liverpool.

The 33-year-old, who has netted 222 club goals during spells with the likes Manchester United and Real Madrid, announced this week that he will call time on his career at the end of the current campaign having been blighted by injury in recent years.

And, in a blog post on his personal website following the announcement of his retirement, Owen has admitted that he holds the most affection for the club where it all started.

“It was at Liverpool where I felt most at home,” he wrote.

The Chester-born forward went on to express regret over his failure to feature regularly for Stoke since moving to the club over the summer.

“I signed for Stoke with every intention of playing more football than in recent seasons,” Owen continued.

“It hasn’t transpired. Yes, I’ve had a couple of small muscle injuries but it would be wrong to blame my lack of action on fitness.”

Owen also underlined his desire to go into player representation after hanging up his boots at the end of the season.

“The representation of players is an area I believe I can excel in,” he added.

“I propose to set up Michael Owen Management Limited focusing on guiding young players through their careers and offering them advice at every juncture of what can be a career full of pitfalls.”

The former England international concluded by highlighting his 1998 World Cup goal against Argentina and his eventual loss of pace as the most prominent moments of his career.

“The first is a sense of pride at not only what I achieved but how I achieved it,” he said.

“Winning virtually every trophy at club level is the stuff of dreams but in amongst all that there were some incredible days. Making my England debut having just turned 18 before heading to the World Cup where I would score ‘That Goal’.

“The second emotion that lives with me is a sense of ‘what might have been’ had injuries not robbed me of my most lethal weapon – speed.”

In the wake of Rio Ferdinand rejecting the chance to represent the Three Lions, the captain has said an international call-up is “the pinnacle” of a footballer’s career

England captain Steven Gerrard has insisted he will never reject an international call-up as it is “the pinnacle” of a footballer’s career.

Rio Ferdinand recently earned a recalled to the Three Lion after nearly two years of being overlooked by Roy Hodgson, only to pull out of the squad after fears his specific training and medical requirements could not be fulfilled while on international duty.

But Gerrard, who has played every single minute of Liverpool’s Premier League campaign thus far, says he is keen to represent his country as much as possible.

“Playing for England is the pinnacle of everyone’s career,” Gerrard told reporters. “If I’m not playing [against San Marino] I’ll be very disappointed, which shows what it means to me.

“First of all, I don’t know if Rio has turned his back on it. I don’t know the details from his side. But that’s what I want to achieve – help take this team to a World Cup in Brazil.

“At my age, there’s no better stage for a footballer to play on. Especially after beating Brazil. On our day, with a full-strength squad, we’re capable of beating the best.”

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had previously expressed his concerns over Ferdinand’s long-term back injury and increased recuperation period due to his age.

Gerrard, however, says his own regime is suited to international football and has no concerns over risking his fitness.

He continued: “I’m not tired, I’m fine. My body’s good, I’m good. I have my own personal programme I stick to, but that’s the same as any other player – two days of recovery after a game, taking it easy, so I’m fine.”