Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva could step up his recovery from a thigh injury with some game time in a reserve team match this week.
The Reds' second string take on Middlesbrough on Friday and the Brazilian may be in action as he looks to get back to full fitness following the leg problem that has kept him on the sidelines since August.
Liverpool assistant Colin Pascoe indicated that Leiva requires some competitive minutes to help his rehab and suggested that Friday could be the day to kick that off.
"The next step is getting his strength up in training and hopefully he can get 45 minutes in the reserve game on Friday," Pascoe told the club's official website.
"But we'll assess him, see how he is in the next couple of days, and if he feels fine himself, then he could possibly have 45 minutes on Friday."
