NewsDay (Zimbabwe)

Fabinho all set for return

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LIVERPOOL could be handed a big boost ahead of their clash with Leicester City tomorrow after midfielder Fabinho was pictured in training again among his teammates.

While playing as a defender the Brazilian picked up a knock in the Champions League win over Midtjyllan­d back in October and has missed the Reds’ three following fixtures.

But at Liverpool’s new training base in Kirkby, Fabinho appeared to be nearing a return again as he was pictured on Thursday among his teammates in a gym session following his hamstring complaint.

Working through muscle building exercises as well as building up his cardio fitness, the Brazilian looked to be on the mend.

Although Jurgen Klopp was unsure before the internatio­nal break of when the 27-year-old would return, the Liverpool

manager claimed he hoped his “minor” issue would not keep him out long.

Klopp said: “After the internatio­nal break he will back for sure, we just don’t know exactly when.

“It’s a minor thing. It’s not something which will take him out for ages.”

Liverpool have suffered an early season crisis with injuries and Fabinho’s return would allow him to cover a defence which has been badly exposed.

First choice centre-back Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are both long term absentees and Fabinho has proven competent cover in the absence of both despite his preferred role in the centre of midfield.

In addition to his two centre-back stars, the Reds are also currently without Trent Alexander-Arnold until early December while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlai­n is out long term and Mohamed

Salah is recovering after testing positive for COVID-19.

Liverpool's rotten luck with injuries could be turning though with Jordan Henderson also pictured training on Thursday following his knock while on duty with England this week, while Thiago Alcantara is also thought to be near a return having been ruled out with a knee injury since October.

Andy Robertson is also a concern following a knock while with Scotland and although he was not seen taking part in training he looked in good spirits as he spoke to Thiago on a staircase.

Many first-team stars including James Milner and Sadio Mane were seen preparing for Sunday's clash against the Foxes who are top of the Premier League table at the impressive looking Kirkby facility, as the Reds look to get their title ambitions back on track.

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Fabinho

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