Andy Carroll in line to make his Liverpool debut against Manchester United next month



Andy Carroll is on course to make his Liverpool debut in the Anfield showdown with Manchester United next month.



The £35million striker stepped up his rehabilitation from a thigh problem at Liverpool's Melwood training base last week, when he was allowed to start light jogging.

On the way back: Andy Carroll will continue his fitness work at Melwood while the Liverpool squad travel to Prague this week

The club have been determined not to put any unnecessary pressure on Carroll and have set no strict deadlines for when they expect to see him play again.



But the England forward, 22, has pleased Liverpool's medical staff since he joined on transfer deadline day and it is now a matter of deciding in which game it will be suitable to unleash him.



Star signing: Kenny Dalglish is keen to get Carroll on the field at Anfield

If all goes to plan, Carroll will face Sir Alex Ferguson's title favourites on March 6. But if Liverpool make it through their Europa League round of 32 tie with Sparta Prague, they could hold him back until March 10 for a last-16 clash against Lech Poznan or Braga.

Carroll will stay on Merseyside this week to continue his fitness regime while Kenny Dalglish takes his squad to Prague, and he will be joined by Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez, who is ineligible for the Europa League.



Carroll and Suarez have the potential to be one of the most exciting partnerships in the Barclays Premier League and Liverpool vice-captain Jamie Carragher believes it shows the club mean business once again.



'I was delighted to get them in and the club made a statement,' he said. 'Suarez has made a great start. With Carroll coming back, it looks the perfect partnership.'



Former Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson said on Monday he was hurt by his sacking after just six months in the job.



The new West Bromwich Albion boss said: 'The fans made it perfectly clear they wanted me gone and somebody else in. Of course you do feel wounded.



'I've had an awful amount of praise and when you get the opposite it's not something you necessarily embrace, but it hasn't dented my belief or confidence.'



