Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed that Brazilian Fabio Aurelio and Italian signing Alberto Aquilani are close to returning to action.

In Aurelio's case, an ankle injury has kept him out of action but he is due back for the Reds next league match against Burnley at Anfield on Saturday September 12.

"Fabio is back training and playing football," said the Liverpool boss. "After the end of the international break I don't think he will have any problems and he will be able to be involved in normal training sessions and be in the squad."

As for Aquilani, who was signed from Roma in the summer, Benitez was less certain of a comeback date.

"Alberto is improving. We were talking before about six to eight weeks and after a few weeks his ankle is much better, but he will need time," he added.

"He's working in the swimming pool and in the gym, and working with the physios, but he's not jogging yet.

"We cannot put a date on things and it's important to just see how he progresses.

"We are checking on him regularly and he had a scan in the past week, which showed he is much better. It's just a case of keeping an eye on him every day."