The midfielder has been sidelined since picking up a knee ligament injury in January but is determined to force his way back into the Selecao squad

Liverpool ace Lucas Leiva is hoping to end the Premier League season on a high to boost his hopes of representing Brazil at the World Cup.

The midfielder has been featured for the Reds’ first team since sustaining a knee ligament injury in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa at Anfield in January.

However, Lucas played 90 minutes for Liverpool Under-21s last Friday and the 27-year-old is now looking to help Brendan Rodgers’ side claim a top-four finish in the Premier League as he bids to be part of the hosts’ World Cup squad.

“I was lucky that I wasn’t out for a long time and I’m now looking forward to first-team action,” Lucas told this club’s official website.

“Hopefully, I’ll be able to help the team again for the next 10 games because we know how important they are.

“It’s a massive two months for me especially looking towards the World Cup at the end of the season as well, so I can’t afford to miss many more games.

“I knew the injury wasn’t too bad. I knew something happened but of course I was disappointed I wouldn’t be able to make the last international game [against South Africa].

“When you are out of the international team and squad there is always someone else who will have a chance to impress, the competition for places in the Brazil squad is so big, so that’s why I’m really confident that if I have a good two months ahead then I will have a chance to play at the World Cup.

“That would be like a dream for me – playing for my country in Brazil. It’s going to be massive, but as I said, what I do for Liverpool is what’s going to get me in the Brazil squad, so I’ve just got to concentrate on the next 10 games and hopefully help Liverpool to do good things until the end of the season.”