Liverpool Under-23 boss Neil Critchley has been discussing the condition of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The midfielder has been sidelined since sustaining a long-term knee injury approximately 11 months ago but appears to be edging ever closer to a return to first-team football.
He is back in full training and, as per a report from the Liverpool Echo, is in with a chance of playing against Derby County’s Under-23 side on Friday evening.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is making strong progress in his recovery from the knee injury but will not be rushed back into action, Critchley has confirmed, as the Reds continue to monitor his condition.
The England international will work with the squad this week, and a decision will be taken regarding his possible involvement for Liverpool’s Under-23 side at the end of the week.
Critchley said:
It’s a possibility, yes. Obviously, he’s been training with the first team now. That has been spoken about.
I think it will depend on how he goes during this week, in terms of his training. As the manager has previously said, there’s no rush. We’re not getting him back for a particular game. We have to do the right thing by him.
If that situation arises on Friday, then it will be fantastic to see Alex back on the pitch.
First-team manager Jurgen Klopp will hope to have Oxlade-Chamberlain available as soon as possible, with the Reds trailing Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
