Liverpool's Gerrard set for Boxing Day return

Steven Gerrard’s recovery from an ankle injury is going as planned, and the Liverpool talisman could make a return to the side for the Boxing Day clash against Blackburn.

The England international has had a frustrating 2011, firstly being sidelined for six months with a groin injury, and then picking up an ankle knock, which became infected.

The Liverpool skipper was back in full training with the rest of his team-mates on Monday for the first time since being hospitalised by a career-threatening mystery infection.

Gerrard, 31, spent last week in Abu Dhabi, enjoying some warm weather training with the Al Jazira club, and returned to the UK bursting for competitive action, according to Mirror Football.

If all goes to plan, the midfielder will rejoin the squad over the holiday period - and with Liverpool facing at least 11 matches before the end of January, his comeback couldn't be more timely.

The Anfield talisman has made only nine club starts since boss Kenny Dalglish took over from Roy Hodgson in January.

He suffered a serious groin injury in March, and elected to undergo surgery, which kept him out for six months. His comeback was complicated by an infection in his leg, but he made a start against Manchester United in mid-October.

But then he suffered another infection, this time in the ankle area, which was so serious that Dalglish even wondered if it would threaten Gerrard's career - as the Scot admitted at the weekend.

"If it wasn't dealt with properly, it could have been more serious. But he had fantastic treatment. It's been sorted, it's been solved," said Dalglish.

"It was a one-off, not relevant to anything else he's had, so the credit goes to the people who identified the problem. The hard part was when he was first injured. It was just a freak.

"He's done unbelievably well. He does have a really strong character. He's come through and he's desperate to play."

Liverpool‘s 2-0 win over Aston Villa at the weekend lifted them up to sixth place in the table, equal on 29 points with Arsenal.

If Gerrard can get back to his best by the new year it will be a major boost for Daglish, who is already missing injured Brazilian midfielder Lucas and suspended young midfielder Jay Spearing.

"When you consider what he has been through he has done unbelievably well," Dalglish said.

"But he has a strong character and that is reflected in coming through what he's been through."

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