Joe Cole faces a fight for a regular start at Liverpool © Getty Images Enlarge

Joe Cole is looking to press his claims for a first-team recall after coming through a runout for Liverpool's Under-21s.

Cole's hopes of making a fresh start at Anfield under new boss Brendan Rodgers were dealt a blow when he picked up a hamstring injury back in August.

It has proved to be a steady rehabilitation process for the midfielder, but he was given the green light to face Fulham's U21s. He was eligible to play as one of three over-age outfield players and he came through an hour.

After reporting no adverse reaction, Cole is looking to push on and has an eye on the Europa League clash with Udinese at Anfield on Thursday.

"It was nice to get out there and play and I felt okay fitness-wise," Cole told the Liverpool Echo. "It's always nice to score but I think the main thing for me was really to just get through the game and test myself to see how my fitness is and how my sharpness is.

"I was happy and it's a case of onwards and upwards now and hopefully I can be available for the first team. I think the manager will probably assess my fitness and we'll go from there. I need to get back in the first team. I want to be out there playing."

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