Brendan Rodgers has said Luis Suárez is aware he owes Liverpool following his 10-match ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic and will be totally committed to the shirt upon his return against Manchester United.

The Liverpool manager claimed Suárez was "champing at the bit" to start Wednesday's Capital One Cup third-round tie, an unfortunate phrase in the circumstances, but insisted he was undecided if the striker will start at Old Trafford.

The Uruguay international last played competitively for Liverpool on 21 April, though he featured in two recent World Cup qualifiers plus the Confederations Cup during his latest suspension, and also starred in several behind-closed-doors matches at the club's Melwood training ground. Liverpool lost only one of the 10 matches without Suárez, the final game of his ban against Southampton on Saturday. But having missed 20 games through suspension over the past three seasons the striker, Rodgers believes, knows he needs to repay the Anfield club.

"I'm sure he does [know he owes Liverpool], I'm sure he does," said Rodgers. "You'll find out that once he gets that strip on he'll work his socks off. He's received nothing but affection and love from the supporters. They deserve no less than 100% and knowing Luis, that's what he'll give them.

"I think he just can't wait to get playing again. There's a real determination in him now and obviously there was a lot going on over the course of the summer. But he's trained really hard, really well, and his entrance to come back into the squad now is perfect timing. We've got a few injuries and the big thing is he's now available. To have someone of that quality to come into the squad is good."

Liverpool's support during the Ivanovic suspension and over the racism controversy with United's Patrice Evra did not prevent Suárez pressing in vain for a transfer to Arsenal over the summer. But Rodgers, whom the striker accused of breaking a promise that he could join a Champions League-qualified club, insists he has no reservations about the 26-year-old's commitment.

"I do sense he is committed, absolutely," the Liverpool manager said. "I think that's the one thing about Luis Suárez, because of the type of character he is, that when he plays football he can't play it any other way. He knows what the club's stance was and he stayed. We stayed strong in our belief that we wanted to hang on to him. The minute that passed he's been working tirelessly. Knowing him, that's the type of player he is. Of course it was difficult for everyone in the summer but that's behind us now. He's champing at the bit to get back."

Rodgers could not say with certainty whether Suárez has learned from his second lengthy suspension for biting an opponent. "We will see, we will see," said the manager, although he did confirm the striker has received psychological support during his time on the sidelines.

"I am not going into too much detail on him but he has had support in every way," said Rodgers, who is likely to be without Daniel Agger against United due to a rib injury. "It is not just technical and tactical development here, we look at physical elements and how we can improve the psychological state.

"He has worked tirelessly on every aspect. He's had a long time to reflect on what has happened but now all that is in the past, the ban is finished and he has suffered because he hasn't been playing. Now he is available and we are all delighted he is ready to go again."

The Liverpool manager added: "It's been an interesting couple of years for him here. He's a top player and he needs to be on the grass, playing football, showing all his qualities to the supporters here. And I am very hopeful he is now focused on delivering for them after the great support he's had."

Rodgers has insisted Glen Johnson's contractual situation will be resolved in the near future. The highly paid England defender has entered the final two years of his current deal at Anfield with no agreement yet over an extension. But the manager said: "It is something that the club will take up at the right time."