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Danny Ings could make his Liverpool comeback before the end of the season as he prepares to return to full training inside the next fortnight.

The Reds striker has been sidelined since he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) back in October.

Ings’ total commitment to his rehabilitation programme has paid off with the England international close to fitness ahead of schedule.

Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool won’t rush Ings back in the wake of Divock Origi’s ankle injury. However, the Reds boss is relishing finally being able to work with the 23-year-old, who was hurt during his first training session with Klopp six months ago.

“Danny’s in a really good way after a serious injury but he’s not back in team training yet,” Klopp said.

“Maybe two weeks, I’m not too sure, it was four or five days ago when someone sent me the email saying it was two weeks until he could train with the team.

“I don’t know yet if he will be able to play again this season. That all depends on how he recovers and how he’s training. He’s been out for a long time.”

Ings had enjoyed a flying start to his Reds career following last summer’s move from Burnley. He scored three goals in five starts and was rewarded with a full England debut against Lithuania before suffering the crushing injury setback.

His return would be timely with Origi unlikely to play again this season due to ankle ligament damage. With his striking options having been depleted, Klopp is considering leaving Daniel Sturridge on the bench and playing Roberto Firmino up front in Saturday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United at Anfield.

Christian Benteke remains out but the £32.5million frontman should be back in full training next week ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg away to Villarreal.

“Do I have to do something different? As long as we have the options we should think about using them and that is what we are doing,” Klopp said.

“Christian Benteke is close to team training, which is good for us, and we have Roberto Firmino. We took him off again (against Everton) because he has had time off but he could play there on Saturday.

“We have two available strikers and maybe a third or a fourth a week away from training. We are still far away from having a perfect situation but it is okay.”

Losing Origi represents a devastating blow for the Reds with the young Belgian having hit such a rich vein of form. His header in the 4-0 rout of Everton was his fifth goal in as many games.

However, Klopp says he can’t afford to dwell on how much of a loss he will be.

“That is what you are allowed to think and you can suffer if you want but I can’t do that in my job,” he added.

“After the game I was not too happy with the situation to be honest but I woke up the next morning and I am used to handling situations like this.

“I don’t want to say now, in this moment, the season is over for Divock because I don’t think it is. But obviously very often with injuries like this it is over. Let’s see what we can do and work on it.

“The player was in a good moment. It was the same with Emre Can, not the best moment for him to take a break, and the same with Hendo. That’s how it is and you have to accept it.”