Gerrard set for early return

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard could make a sooner-than-expected return from a groin injury.

Gerrard underwent surgery on his troublesome groin on March 10 and was initially ruled out for at least a month.However, Liverpool first-team coach Steve Clarke confirmed the club was hopeful Gerrard would be back in training by next week, leaving him in line to return to the first team in time for the Reds’ trip to West Brom in the English Premier League on April 2.In a fillip for Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish, Gerrard is one of four players who is expected to return to training in the coming weeks.”They’re all improving. Fingers crossed, we will have Martin Kelly and Steven Gerrard back training by the middle of next week,” Clarke said.”We hope the same for Jonjo Shelvey, who has been out for a long time. Fabio Aurelio is also making good progress.””They’re our four longer-term injuries, the ones that have been causing us a bit of concern recently, but hopefully they’ll all join in training next week.”Liverpool’s owners have also been busy making changes behind the scenes, with Ian Ayre appointed as the club’s new Managing Director and Damien Comolli promoted to Director of Football.Ayre has been the Liverpool Commercial Director since July 2007 and Comolli has been with the club since November 2010 as Director of Football Strategy.”With these key appointments today, the future of Liverpool Football Club is in very good hands,” owner John Henry said.”(Chairman Tom Warner) and I are extraordinarily excited to be working with Ian and Damien as we do the things that must be done to move the club forward in the 21st century.”