Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is delighted with Lucas Leiva's playing return.
Lucas turned out for the U21s last week.
Rodgers is keen to get the 25-year-old as soon as possible.
"It will take a number of games but you saw him over the course of pre-season he was getting better and better and even at the start of that Man City game (in which he got injured) how he pressed the ball was good.
"He was out for a long time with his knee for a long time, came back and then did his thigh, but he is a brilliant professional, has a great football brain and knows the ideas we're trying to implement here.
"Hopefully he will have another good week next week and by next weekend he won't be too far away.
"Lucas is a top professional, an international player, and he's got good experience in this country so when you've got someone of that calibre coming back, it certainly makes you better."