• Premier League

Borini could make surprise Liverpool return

Fabio Borini picked up his injury against Swansea in February © PA Photos

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Liverpool striker Fabio Borini could play again this season after making significant progress as he recovers from a shoulder injury.

Borini, 21, needed an operation after dislocating his shoulder against Swansea in February and was believed to have been ruled out for the rest of the current campaign.

However, despite having suffered two long-term absences since joining the club last summer, Liverpool's head of performance Glen Driscoll believes the forward could even return before the season concludes.

"Fabio Borini was outside for the first time today, so he's starting that progression - passing balls, running and doing ball work. He's due to be probably another six weeks from this point on," he told the club's official website.

"The injury he's had is normally eight to 12 weeks. He's quite a quick rehabilitator. At the moment, it's looking pretty positive for Fabio that he could be back ahead of schedule and maybe make the end of the season."

Meanwhile, defender Martin Kelly is also recovering well from the anterior cruciate ligament rupture he suffered last September and should be back in time for pre-season in the summer.

Driscoll says the right-back can draw inspiration from Steven Gerrard, who has recovered from his own injury problems to have a fine campaign this term.

"Martin is doing extremely well; he's probably at the late stage of his rehab," he said. "We'll probably look to prioritise getting him back for pre-season 110% fit - 10% fitter, stronger and quicker, more powerful and agile than he was previously. He'll probably be in a position where it will be tempting to put him into games again this season. But it will show class and quality if we make sure that he's in a very strong position so he can fly next season.

"Martin should look at what Steven Gerrard has achieved this season; people would never have considered that he would be available for a full campaign. He should take great hope from that and know that if he continues to work and continues his professionalism, hopefully the future is bright. We hope to give him every chance."

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