Return of Stevie G music to Hodgson´s ears

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is confident Steven Gerrard will be fit to face Fulham on Saturday, while Daniel Agger could return this month.

Gerrard has not played since straining his hamstring while on international duty in November, but is primed to resume full training this week.

The return of their talismanic skipper could not come soon enough for Liverpool, who are still struggling to string together wins in English Premier League.

Barring any lingering soreness in his hamstring, Hodgson said Gerrard should be able play some part in Saturday’s clash at Anfield.

“Steven’s on track for the weekend,” Hodgson told Liverpoolfc.tv.

“He’s worked very hard to get back and Steven and Jamie Carragher (out with a shoulder injury) are the type who hate not playing.”

“Steven has been determined to get back as quickly as possible and the physios are happy with him and he feels quite good.”

“The big question when a player has a hamstring injury or a slight pull is when do you actually say he is totally fit and give him the go-ahead to play?”

“We have to be careful there is no risk of the injury re-occurring and I am in the hands to some extent of the sports science people as to when he can come back.”

“I take their word for it and I can’t really push the subject because I would be devastated if we brought him back too early, but he still hopes he will be fit to play some part in the game against Fulham and so am I.”

The Liverpool boss said Daniel Agger – who has struggled with sickness and a calf injury since late September – will hopefully be available over the busy Christmas period.

“Agger is making good progress but he is not training with the team yet and is under the control of the sports science team,” Hodgson said.

“He is running in straight lines and his work-rate and effort has been first class so it is now a case of when do we take the chance and say let’s stick him in again.”

Hodgson also admitted David Ngog is unlikely to feature in Liverpool’s Europa League clash against FC Utrecht on Wednesday after suffering a nasty cut to his eye during the Reds’ 3-1 loss at Newcastle United on Saturday.

“I think if the game had been a semi-final of the competition or a really important qualification game and we really did need him I think he probably could play on Wednesday, but when you get a cut on your eye the longer we can leave it the better,” Hodgson said.

“You couldn’t play with that cut and not get a ball landing on it at some stage during the game but I think he will be fine for the Fulham game.”