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Liverpool full-back Jon Flanagan will return to full training next week as he looks to put his 18-month injury nightmare behind him.

The Academy graduate has been given the green light to link up with Jurgen Klopp 's squad at Melwood on Tuesday ahead of their Premier League trip to Watford.

Flanagan's availability will be a major boost for Klopp heading into the second half of the season.

The 22-year-old hasn't played for Liverpool since the win over Newcastle on the final day of the 2013-14 season.

His outstanding form as the Reds challenged for the Premier League title led to him earning his England debut against Ecuador ahead of the World Cup finals in Brazil.

Flanagan was hampered by fluid on his left knee during the following pre-season tour of America.

The popular defender then underwent surgery in September 2014 and another operation followed in April 2015 to repair cartilage in the joint.

In recent months he's been able to step up his rehabilitation and is now on the brink of making a long-awaited return.

Having signed a new one-year deal back in May, Flanagan will be determined to use the coming months to prove he merits a longer contract.