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Jon Flanagan is in contention to make his long-awaited first-team return in Liverpool's FA Cup third round replay with Exeter City at Anfield on Wednesday night.

The tough-tackling full-back, who has been sidelined by a knee injury for nearly two years, has been building up his match fitness with the club's under-21s since returning to full training last month.

After coming through three run-outs for Michael Beale's side unscathed, Flanagan will now come into consideration for a first run-out under Jurgen Klopp.

It would be the 23-year-old's first competitive appearance for Liverpool since the visit of Newcastle on the final day of the 2013/14 season.

At that time Flanagan's outstanding form led to an England debut against Ecuador and he was on the standby list for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

However, in the following pre-season he was hampered by fluid on his left knee during the tour of America.

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

However, his long rehabilitation programme is now complete and his return is a major bonus for Klopp.

Flanagan is out of contract this summer but is determined to prove over the coming months that he merits a new deal with his boyhood club.