• Premier League

Cole fitness boost for Rodgers

ESPN staff
August 16, 2012
Joe Cole has been thrown a lifeline at Liverpool by Brendan Rodgers © Getty Images
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Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole is in contention for the club's Premier League opener at West Brom on Saturday after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Cole, 30, has returned to training following the injury, which he picked up during the Europa League third qualifying round first leg victory over FC Gomel in Belarus on August 2.

The former England midfielder, who spent last season on loan at Lille, is looking to become a first-team regular at Anfield under Brendan Rodgers, having struggled to make an impression since arriving from Chelsea two years ago.

He told Liverpool's official website: "It's good to be back around the squad and available for selection again. I've only missed two weeks, so I feel good fitness-wise as we had a good long pre-season and I just need some games now.

"It was frustrating having to come off in the first game of the season but that's one of those things you have to deal with as a footballer.

"There's never a good time to get injured but luckily it wasn't a major thing and I'm back now raring to go and raring to be part of the team."

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