Liverpool handed major injury boost as midfielder returns to full training

Harvey Elliott has handed Liverpool a major injury boost by making a long-awaited return to full training. Elliott has been absent for the past two months, having suffered a fractured foot when with England under-21s.

But the 21-year-old has taken a significant step forward in his rehabilitation by playing a full part in a training session with the Reds' U21 squad at the AXA Training Centre on Monday.

Elliott had initially targeted a comeback after the October international break, only for his recovery to last longer than had been initially expected.

READ MORE: Premier League referee David Coote suspended after alleged X-rated video rant at Liverpool

READ MORE: 'Everyone had written me off' - Andy Robertson responds to Liverpool critics as slow start explained

But the attacking midfielder will now hope to be in contention for minutes when Arne Slot's Premier League leaders resume after the current break for national team duty with a trip to rock-bottom Southampton on Sunday week.

Having impressed during pre-season, Elliott was restricted to just one brief substitute appearance in Liverpool's opening three games of the campaign before picking up his injury while training with England.

He has subsequently sat out 14 matches, his longest spell on the sidelines since missing more than four months with the serious ankle injury he suffered at Leeds United in September 2021.

Also involved in Monday's training session was 20-year-old midfielder James McConnell, who made his first-team breakthrough last season but has been sidelined this campaign with an ankle complaint.

Trent Alexander-Arnold faces a race against time to be fit for the trip to Southampton after departing early from the 2-0 home Premier League win against Aston Villa on Saturday with a low grade hamstring injury.

Diogo Jota is expected to be back in early December, while no date has yet been set for the return of either Alisson Becker or Federico Chiesa.