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Jon Flanagan is ready to hand Brendan Rodgers a Merseyside derby fitness boost after returning to full training.

The 21-year-old has missed Liverpool’s last six games with a hamstring injury, sustained in the win over Cardiff City on December 21, but came through a full training session at Melwood on Wednesday.

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In his absence, Aly Cissokho has struggled for form at left-back, and with Jose Enrique still at least a month away from full fitness, Rodgers will be keen to have Flanagan available for the visit of Everton to Anfield next Tuesday.

Flanagan was a surprise inclusion when the sides met at Goodison Park back in November, but repaid his manager’s faith with an impressive performance, which earned him high praise from skipper Steven Gerrard.

He then started the Reds’ next five matches, and scored his first senior goal in the victory over Tottenham.

Flanagan is now in line to feature in Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round tie at Bournemouth and, provided there is no adverse reaction, could return to the starting line-up against Everton.

For Rodgers, it is a welcome boost at a time when his squad is being tested, particularly in defence.

In addition to Enrique, who has a knee problem, the Reds are without vice-captain Daniel Agger, who injured a calf against Oldham earlier this month.

Mamadou Sakho has missed the last four games with a hamstring strain, though is edging towards a return, whilst midfielder Lucas Leiva has been ruled out for up to two months with medial ligament damage.

Meanwhile, Liverpool hope Tiago Ilori’s loan switch to Granada will enable him to make a late surge for a place in Portugal’s World Cup squad.

The 20-year-old moved to La Liga earlier this week having found first-team opportunities limited with the Reds.

He is yet to make a senior appearance since arriving at the club in a £7m deal back last summer, but is still highly rated at Anfield, and is seen very much as one for the future.

Ilori is also well thought of by Portugal manager Paulo Bento, who is keen to take a pacy central defender to Brazil for the World Cup. Reds’ officials hope a strong end to the campaign could see the former Sporting Lisbon man force his way into Bento’s plans, as well as aiding his long-term development with Liverpool.