The Wales international midfielder is looking forward to the new season after shoulder surgery and says that the Reds’ new signings are settling in well to life at Anfield

Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen is hoping for a “fresh start” at the club after recovering from a shoulder injury that disrupted his debut season at Anfield.

The Wales international moved to Merseyside from Swansea City last season but missed the end of 2012-13 after undergoing surgery in March.

However, the 23-year-old has now returned to full fitness and says that he cannot wait for the start of the new season.

“It’s brilliant to be back. Obviously we all enjoy our break and our holidays but, at the same time, we can’t wait to get back in and get started,” he told the club’s official website.

“Having missed the end of last season, I personally couldn’t wait to get back in. Hopefully I can put the injury behind me once and for all.

“I think, for anyone, your first year at a new club can be tough in some ways but I feel settled here now and I’m looking forward to a fresh start with the coming season. Hopefully I can put in some good performances.

“I think last season I may have put myself under too much pressure. So it’s a case of just giving my best every day in training and in every match. That’s all I can do, really.”

The Reds have been busy in the transfer market this summer, bringing in Iago Aspas, Kolo Toure, Luis Alberto and Simon Mignolet and Allen reports that the news faces are looking good.

“They’ve settled in really well,” he added. “With new signings you sometimes worry that it might take them a little time to adapt but they’ve settled straight in and they’ve got into the swing of things straight away, which is a really, really positive sign.”

The club’s head of development says that the striker is making good progress as he recovers from an ankle injury and is the only player not in pre-season training for the Reds

Liverpool expect striker Daniel Sturridge to be fit in time for the start of the new season.

The 23-year-old was stretchered off with an ankle injury during England’s 1-1 friendly draw with Republic of Ireland at Wembley in May.

The Reds are now back in pre-season training and, while Sturridge is still sidelined, the club’s head of performance, Glen Driscoll, is happy with his progress.

“Daniel Sturridge is the only player in the squad not training at the moment but he’s progressing really well and he’s still on target to make the start of the season,” he told the club’s official website.

“Steven Gerrard is still being modified but he’s about to enter all out training.”

Driscoll was also upbeat on the health of the other members of the squad who are returning to training after injury.

“Martin Kelly is back in full training and doing really well,” he added. “He has absolutely no problems.

“Raheem Sterling has actually come back a little bit earlier, like Martin, to do some extra conditioning so they hit the ground running. He looks extremely sharp.

“Joe Allen also did some extra work and is raring to go now.”

Liverpool kick off their 2013-14 campaign at Anfield against Stoke City on August 17.

The Kenyan looks destined to leave Neil Lennon’s side this summer and his fellow midfielder feels that he would be a hit should he opt to move to England’s top flight

Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley says that team-mate Victor Wanyama is good enough to play for a top Premier League club.

The Kenyan’s future is the subject of hot debate. Goal understands that Southampton, whose interest has been confirmed by Mauricio Pochettino, have had a £12 million bid accepted but have been joined by Liverpool, Everton and Cardiff City in the race for his signature.

Ledley expects his team-mate to leave and feels that he has the ability to become a huge success in the Premier League.

“He’s been great but it looks like he’ll continue his career somewhere else now,” he told the Daily Record.
 
“The Celtic fans know how good Victor is and realise we got him at a steal. He can play for a top team in the Premier League, easily. He’s got great potential and, if he can get to a top club, it would be fantastic to go up against him in the Champions League in the future.

“Anyone who saw him in that competition last year will know how good he is. I’m surprised none of the top clubs have come in for him but it’s early days in the transfer window.

“If Victor goes it will be a massive blow to us. He was terrific in the Champions League for us last season.”

Ledley, who spent six years at Cardiff prior to his move to Celtic, also feels that the Bluebirds would be an excellent move for Wanyama.

“The way Cardiff play would suit him as he could be their midfield holding player. He would be a fantastic signing for them,” he argued. “They are nowhere near as big as Celtic but it’s the capital of Wales and they’re getting more recognition now they are in the Premier League.

“If Victor went there, he’d enjoy it. I have friends who are fans and they’ve seen him when they’re up watching me at Celtic. I know they were excited about the prospect of him going there.”