Defender set to return

Liverpool have been handed an injury boost with the news that Slovakian international Martin Skrtel has returned to training.

The defender who had been having an excellent season has been out for the past two months since picking up a knee ligament injury in the 3-2 victory over Man City.

He has now returned to full first team training and should be in contention for a place in the starting XI in the near future possibly the Boxing Day clash with Bolton at Anfield.

In his absence Jamie Carragher has been at the heart of Liverpool's defence with both Daniel Agger and Sami Hyypia who have taken it in turns to fill in although neither has made the place their own.