Cole's joy at training return

Joe Cole has handed Liverpool a fitness boost ahead of the new season after resuming training following a hamstring scare.

The England international suffered the setback in the Reds' Europa League first leg tie against Gomel in Belarus, prompting fears he could be facing an extended spell on the sidelines. However, the midfielder is now fighting fit again and ready to prove his worth to new boss Brendan Rodgers who is prepared to give him a second chance to make his mark at Anfield. Cole found himself frozen out of the first-team picture under Rodgers' predecessor Kenny Dalglish as he was loaned to French side Lille for the season. He told the club's official website: "I trained on Thursday for the first time after the injury and it feels good. "It's good to be back around the squad and available for selection again. I've only missed two weeks, so I feel good fitness-wise as we had a good long pre-season and I just need some games now. "It was frustrating having to come off in the first game of the season but that's one of those things you have to deal with as a footballer. There's never a good time to get injured but luckily it wasn't a major thing and I'm back now raring to go and raring to be part of the team. "I've had a good pre-season. I've trained really well and the training was really intense. I really enjoyed the games we played in and playing at Fenway Park was great. I enjoyed the pre-season. It does what it says on the tin - it gets you fit and that's the main thing."