Steven Gerrard is scheduled to give Liverpool a timely injury lift on Monday by returning to full training following an ankle problem.

The Liverpool captain has missed the club's past eight matches having developed an infection in an ankle injury suffered in training in October. The midfielder has been in light training for the past few weeks and stepped up his rehabilitation during a trip to Abu Dhabi in recent days, where he trained with Al Jazira.

The Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish, has consistently refused to set a comeback date for the 31-year-old but, with full training planned for Monday, Gerrard should be available during a hectic period for the club.

Dalglish, whose team have at least 11 matches to play before the end of January across the league and both domestic cups, said on Thursday: "Steven is progressing and training really well. Everyone here is delighted with his progress. We will have to wait and see on when he comes back. I am not going to set any targets. He will be ready when he's ready."

Gerrard has made only nine starts for Liverpool since Dalglish replaced Roy Hodgson as the manager in January, having been sidelined for six months with a groin injury. He marked his return this season with a goal in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United and his recovery will be keenly awaited at a club that recently lost the influential midfielder, Lucas Leiva, for the rest of the season with a ruptured cruciate.

Lucas's replacement for the defeat at Fulham, Jay Spearing, is serving a three -match suspension for his straight red card at Craven Cottage.