Liverpool have received a positive injury update ahead of their Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham, with Joe Gomez back in team training and available for selection.
Andoni Iraola provided updates on several members of his squad during his pre-match press conference, with Gomez, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni all at different stages of their respective recoveries.
Joe Gomez available for Tottenham
Gomez has been unavailable since suffering a muscle injury during Liverpool's pre-season tour of the United States.
The defender was forced off just 10 minutes into the friendly against Sunderland, but has now returned to training with the first team.
Iraola confirmed that Gomez is available for Wednesday night's Carabao Cup third-round meeting with Tottenham, although it remains unclear how much action he will receive.
"“Joe is training with the team and is available for tomorrow. It's a matter of deciding how much he can play.”"Andoni Iraola on Joe Gomez
His return could come at an important time for Liverpool.
With Virgil van Dijk, Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araújo currently providing the main options at centre-back, Gomez would give Iraola valuable additional depth in the defensive positions, especially given his aptitude as right-back cover.
Araújo has also been used at right-back in recent matches, with Jeremie Frimpong struggling for consistency, meaning Gomez's versatility could prove particularly useful.
Bradley still some way from Liverpool return
The news is less positive for Conor Bradley, however.
The Northern Irishman has been absent since suffering a knee injury during Liverpool's January meeting with Arsenal and remains some distance away from returning to full team training.
Iraola confirmed that Bradley is currently training individually and has only recently begun working with the ball again.
"“He is not close to training with the team. He is training alone but he has started touching the ball. We want him back as soon as possible.”"Andoni Iraola on Conor Bradley
The update suggests Liverpool supporters should not expect the right-back's return to be in the immediate future.
That will be frustrating for Iraola given how highly he rates the 23-year-old, who has been identified as the long-term solution at right-back.
Liverpool's performances in that position have already attracted poignant criticism this season, making Bradley's eventual return particularly important.
For now, though, the focus is simply on getting him back to full fitness rather than setting a firm return date.
Leoni ahead of Bradley in recovery timeline
There was slightly more encouraging news regarding Giovanni Leoni.
Iraola revealed that the Italian defender is currently further ahead in his rehabilitation than Bradley, although he still has some way to go before returning to competitive action.
"“I think Leoni is a little bit ahead of him, and still it's going to take some time for Conor.”"Andoni Iraola on Giovanni Leoni
The 19-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury on his Liverpool debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, bringing a promising first appearance for the club to an abrupt end.
His recovery will therefore be closely monitored, particularly with Liverpool looking to build greater depth and pace in the central areas of their defensive unit.
The fact that Leoni is now ahead of Bradley in his rehabilitation provides some encouragement, although Liverpool will have no reason to rush either player back from a long-term injury.
Iraola was not asked about Federico Chiesa or Hugo Ekitike during the press conference, with neither player having featured this season.
Ekitike remains on the longer-term injury list after suffering an Achilles problem against Paris Saint-Germain in April, while Chiesa's current absence means Liverpool still have several players working their way back towards full fitness.
For now, however, Gomez's return provides the immediate boost, while Bradley and Leoni continue to work towards their own comebacks.
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