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Jon Flanagan has provided a welcome injury boost to Liverpool after returning to full speed running at Melwood this week.

The popular young defender has missed the entire year due to a knee injury sustained in pre-season but on Monday reached a major milestone in his rehabilitation.

The 22-year-old has been building up strength in his knee by running in a harness, gradually increasing the weight he has been putting on the joint itself following surgery in September.

He is now running unsupported and will use the next couple of weeks to build up muscle strength before hopefully reappearing in some under-21 games.

As a local lad, Flanagan is a huge fan favourite and will be keen to force his way back into Brendan Rodgers’ plans with his contract running out this summer.

With Steven Gerrard leaving for LA Galaxy, many see the full back as a key part of keeping a ‘Scouse heartbeat’ within the ranks at Anfield.

Jon Flanagan's Liverpool career in pictures

Flanagan played 25 games last year and was virtually ever-present in the second half of the season as the Reds just missed out on the title. His good form saw him make his England debut and he was in the seven-man standby squad for the World Cup in Brazil.

Brendan Rodgers has since added Spanish full-backs Alberto Moreno and Javier Manquillo to the Liverpool squad but Flanagan said last month that he welcomed the fight for places.

“I want to keep developing as a footballer. That’s why not being available has been so frustrating. But competition for places doesn’t bother me. I’m always up for the fight,” he said.

“I’ve been out for what has felt like a really long time. It’s been very frustrating. That is one of the downsides of football that people don’t see. You’re out of routine because you are used to training and playing, being around the squad and having a laugh on a daily basis.”

Flanagan scored a memorable goal in Liverpool’s 5-0 rout of Spurs at White Hart Lane last season and he still appears to be a firm part of his manager’s plans with Brendan Rodgers recently speaking about welcoming him back “in the near future.”

He said: “It has been difficult for Jon, because he was brilliant for us last year. He was absolutely superb. It is just unfortunate he has picked up this injury.

“He has been out for a little while. But we’re hoping that in time, in the near future, he’s going to be back fit and playing because he’s a very important young player for us.”