Martin Kelly is ready to fight for a playing return at Liverpool.
The defender has been battling to regain full fitness since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Manchester United in September 2012.
He told the Liverpool Echo: "I'm feeling a lot sharper. I've been doing some additional training over the past few weeks and I'm ready to push on.
"It has taken longer than I hoped to get back to this level but that's been brought on by us not being in the Europa League or having much of a run in the League Cup.
"It's been difficult to get game time as the manager has to pick his best XI to start every game
"I was just made up to get on against West Ham and now I need to keep progressing. I've been working hard and I feel a lot fitter than back in pre-season.
"I don't think there's been a mental barrier to get through as such, it's more about not feeling as sharp as I wanted."
