Reds assistant manager Colin Pascoe stepped into the hot seat earlier this morning ahead of the FA Cup meeting with Oldham Athletic, and besides rubbishing the rumour that Raheem Sterling was heading to Swansea City on loan, he also gave updates on Daniel Sturridge, Joe Allen and Jon Flanagan, hinting that the trio were close to returning to first team action ahead of matches with Stoke City, Aston Villa and Everton.
After a successful start to the season and a handful of club and country rows, Daniel Sturridge damaged ankle ligaments in training ahead of Liverpool’s 3-1 loss to Hull City at the KC Stadium just over a month ago, but he’s on the cards for a recall to the squad within the next 10 days according to Pascoe. “He’s out there training and continuing his rehab. He’s looking good, but we’ve just got to assess it day-by-day and hopefully it won’t be too long” said the Welshman.
Both Joe Allen and Jon Flanagan went down over the busy festive period, but they should be ready to return to the squad shortly according to Pascoe. “Daniel will hopefully be back within a week or 10 days, Joe Allen within 10 days or a fortnight. There’s Jon Flanagan as well. They’ll all be coming back” he said. “You will get injuries at any club, but unfortunately for ourselves, we’ve had a couple close together. Daniel has been out, Stevie’s been out. But we’ve played well. It’s not a big squad, but sometimes when you get a tight squad together, you work hard.”
The Reds should get an opportunity to give well needed breaks to a number of the starting eleven when Oldham Athletic visit Anfield in the FA Cup this weekend, but we might not want to take the visitors too lightly lest we get a repeat of last season’s shock exit at the hands of the Latics.
