Despite suffering a frustrating ACL injury in October, Danny Ings has returned to outdoor training—the next step in a sensational recovery.

Ings was ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing his ACL in training at Melwood in October, derailing a successful start to life at Liverpool.

The former Burnley striker had made his England debut days before, and could have hoped to make Roy Hodgson’s squad for this summer’s European Championship in France.

Speaking shortly after his injury, however, the 23-year-old said that with his injury an “isolated” tear, he was hoping it would “shorten the timescale when I return.”

Now, four months after his diagnosis, Ings has begun outdoor running, marking another milestone in his recovery.

Ings is unlikely to join up with Jurgen Klopp‘s first team at this stage, but as he continues his swift progress, the prospect of a return to action before the end of the season is increased.

The striker’s comeback would be a major boost for Klopp, with Ings perfectly placed to thrive in the German’s attacking system at Liverpool.

His versatility, technical quality and high work rate could see him shine in any of the roles in Klopp’s 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formations.

Having proved his goalscoring ability in the first months of his Liverpool career, with three goals in eight appearances, he could complement the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge perfectly.

Ings scored in every game he started as a centre-forward under Brendan Rodgers this season, and would provide Sturridge, Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi and Christian Benteke with fierce competition.

If Ings makes his return before the end of the season, it would be a testament to his determination, and the commitment he has shown in his rehabilitation alongside Joe Gomez.

“We come in every morning, our schedule is quite set at the moment,” Gomez said in January, having suffered the same injury a day before Ings.

“At first, I didn’t actually realise how much of a help he’d be during whole process. My injury hadn’t even properly hit me yet and Ingsy’s was a day later.

“It was gutting for us both and tough to take.

“We didn’t have time to digest it in the beginning, but there’s moments now I’ll be doing a session and think to myself ‘imagine if I had to do all this on my own.’ It would be hard to.

“He’s such an uplifting guy and that’s exactly what you need around you.”

At just 23, Ings is primed for a bright future on Merseyside, and this major step forward in his recovery should be lauded.