Lucas and Moreno Back in Training, But Balotelli Could Miss QPR Visit

Although the news that Liverpool fullback Jon Flanagan’s return from injury has taken a substantial blow, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has been given a bit of a boost ahead of this weekend’s meeting with Queens Park Rangers with both Lucas Leiva and Alberto Moreno back in full training.

The Brazilian, who missed both of the Anfield outfits last two Premier League outings as well as the loss to Aston Villa in the semi-final of the FA Cup, looks set to feature against the relegation threatened Hoops on Saturday after recovering from a thigh injury. Lucas, along with Mamadou Sakho, played an integral park in Liverpool’s thirteen match unbeaten run as they steered their season back on course, but a groin injury, followed up by his thigh problem, has seen the 28-year old on the sidelines as of late.

Along with Lucas, fullback Alberto Moreno has also returned to full training after sitting out the Reds last two matches. Glen Johnson, who looks set to leave this summer after failing to reach an agreement with the club over a new deal, has played stand-in for the Spaniard on the left side for the past two matches, but after being on the peripheries for the squad for much of the season, looked well off the pace against relegation threatened West Bromwich Albion and Hull City.

With only four matches left in the season, the duo’s return will be a leg-up for Rodgers, but he will still be without star striker Daniel Sturridge and his replacement in Mario Balotelli could also be sidelined this weekend after the Italian suffered a nasty cut on his foot in Tuesday’s loss at the KC Stadium. The 24-year old was a notably absent from training at Melwood earlier today. “He’s got a bad gash to his foot” the Northern Irishman told Sky Sports News following the disappointing meeting with the Tigers. “We’ll see how that is over next couple of days.”