Rafa Benitez is confident Daniel Agger will make a full recovery from his metatarsal injury.

Agger has not been seen in first team action since picking up the injury in September and after he broke down again recently, Liverpool opted to send the Danish defender for surgery.

Agger is unlikely to play again this season, but Benitez is convinced the defender can put his problems behind him.

"I have been talking with the doctors and with Daniel and he is okay," Benitez told the club's official website.

"He has more confidence now that the operation is over. He was feeling pain in his foot and so we decided to have the operation."

The Spaniard added: "The doctors have told me that in a normal situation his season is finished but that he will be back for next season.

"If he improves quickly and makes good progress then he could play before the end of this season, but I think we will wait for next year. It will be like having a new signing when he is back.

"I know he is happier now. He has been trying so hard to get back fit again but now he can look forward to next season knowing it will be a different situation for him."