• Premier League

Gerrard and Agger boost for Liverpool

ESPN staff
December 22, 2010
Steven Gerrard damaged his hamstring on international duty © Getty Images
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Roy Hodgson has confirmed Liverpool will receive a festive injury boost, with captain Steven Gerrard and defender Daniel Agger primed to face Blackpool on Boxing Day - weather permitting.

Gerrard has been sidelined with a hamstring injury for a month, while Agger has not featured for the Reds since picking up a calf problem in September.

Hodgson is under pressure to revive the club's fortunes and mount a push for Champions League qualification in the second half of the season and his plans are set to be boosted by the return of two key players.

"Steven Gerrard and Daniel Agger are fit," Hodgson said on Wednesday. "It's a big boost going into five games in 15 days, which is a season-changing period for every club in the Premier League. Steven would have been fit to have played against Fulham as well, so it doesn't hurt to give him an extra week so he can get some more training in.

"But what he needs now is to play matches and unfortunately the chance to play a match was missed because of our game against Fulham falling victim to the weather."

Jamie Carragher is absent with a shoulder problem and he is a long way from full fitness. Hodgson said: "Jamie Carragher is, if we are to believe the doctors, still nine weeks away from coming back. But knowing Jamie, it would not surprise me if it was a lot less than nine weeks."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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