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Adam Lallana could be set for a surprise return for Liverpool FC this weekend – as Brendan Rodgers reiterated Mario Balotelli is going nowhere this month.

Lallana was expected to be out for a month after limping out of the 2-2 New Year’s Day draw against Leicester City with a thigh injury.

But the England international has responded well to treatment and is expected to return to training on Friday.

And if Saturday’s Premier League trip to Aston Villa proves too soon, Rodgers is convinced Lallana will be available for the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea on Tuesday.

“We are monitoring Adam,” said the Reds boss.

“He is ahead of schedule in terms of his rehab and we are hoping he can train tomorrow.

“If he’s not available for the weekend certainly against Chelsea he will be.”

Glen Johnson, out since the defeat at Manchester United a month ago with a groin injury, is back in training while Joe Allen is also approaching a return.

“Glen Johnson is back in training and we’ll see how he is after the session tomorrow, he hasn’t been training long,” said Rodgers.

“Joe Allen should be back training in the next couple of days, but Jon Flanagan is still a wee bit of time away.”

Raheem Sterling will return to the squad having been given time off for an extended break in Jamaica.

And while Daniel Sturridge is entering the final stages of his rehabilitation, Rodgers refuses to put a time on the striker’s comeback.

“Raheem is back in the squad, he is refreshed and ready to work,” added the Reds boss.

“Daniel is back and working well. He’s not ready to play yet but in the near future he will be ready.

“There’s no timeline on Daniel. But he is in the final stages now.”

Rodgers refused to be drawn on suggestions Steven Gerrard could return to the club on loan in the future once he departs for MLS side LA Galaxy in the summer.

“Steven is still at the club, I don’t want to speculate about when he leaves in the summer if he is coming back,” he said.

“He is injured at the moment. We will just look at the present and he is very much part of that.

“We will see after Friday if he is available for the Villa game.”

Rodgers also once again confirmed there were no plans to sell Balotelli in this month’s transfer window despite reported interest from Inter Milan.

Inter boss Roberto Mancini – a former boss of Balotelli – suggested on Wednesday anyone who managed the striker should have their salary doubled.

And Rodgers said: “Roberto knows him very well. I’d agree you should be played double to work with Mario. I’ll speak to the owners about that!

“Joking aside, Mario has come here and not scored the goals he or we would have wanted.

“We are determined to help him find the solution here. He certainly won’t be going anywhere in January.”

Rodgers also confirmed talks had taken place over bringing Divock Origi back early from his season-long loan at Lille.

“There have been discussions but there’s nothing to report,” he said.

“But if he doesn’t come in January, we have the players who are developing and working well, we will go with what we want.”