Diogo Jota is set to hand struggling Liverpool a huge fitness boost by returning to training this week… and £41m man could feature against Chelsea on March 4 after recovering from knee injury which has kept him out for almost three months
- Diogo Jota has not played for Liverpool since suffering a knee injury in December
- The former Wolves forward was in excellent form before damaging ligaments
- Jota will return to first team training with Jurgen Klopp’s squad on Wednesday
- He is unlikely to face Sheffield United on Sunday but could play against Chelsea
Diogo Jota is on the verge of giving Jurgen Klopp a much-needed lift with an imminent return to first team training.
Jota, who had made such a thrilling start to his Liverpool career, has not played since he damaged knee ligaments in the Champions League group game with FC Midtjylland on December 9.
The Portugal international did not require surgery but his knee was in a brace until the end of last month and Liverpool have been determined not to over exert Jota, who cost £41million when he moved from Wolves last summer.
Diogo Jota is set to return to first team training on Wednesday after recovering from injury
The forward, pictured in individual training earlier this month, has been out since December
But the 24-year-old has cleared all the hurdles that have been in front of him and the intention is for Jota to join in with a full session on Wednesday. Provided he comes through that without issue, Klopp can then reintegrate him in his squad.
Though Sunday’s trip to Sheffield United is likely to be soon for him to start, the clash with Chelsea at Anfield on Thursday week (March 4) would potentially be an ideal fixture for his return.
Klopp is in desperate need of some positive news from his medical room, as this has been a season decimated by injuries. Liverpool’s manager is braced for disappointment when Jordan Henderson undergoes a scan on Monday.
Henderson is expected to be missing for a number of weeks, having damaged his adductor muscle during Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by Everton – a result that leaves their hopes of Champions League qualification in the balance.
Liverpool are five points behind fourth-placed West Ham and there is now a huge onus on the second leg of their last 16 clash with RB Leipzig, which is due to be staged on March 10.
With German teams unable to travel to England due to restrictions, an alternative venue to Anfield is being sought. Venues in Belgium and Holland are being considered but Liverpool could end up returning to Hungary.
The Puskas Arena in Budapest staged the first fixture and may yet hold the return. Liverpool remain in discussions with UEFA.