Midfielder Jordan Henderson is targeting a return to action in mid-March as he makes swift progress from an ankle injury.
Henderson initially feared he could be out of action for three months after suffering ligament damage last month and it was then estimated that he would be sidelined for between six and eight weeks.
But the injury has responded well to treatment and the midfielder believes he can now return for the final eight games of the season, starting with the clash against Bimingham on March 20.
Henderson told the Journal: "My target is to get back for the last eight games of the season.
"
When I first did it, I thought it was a bad one.
My first thought was that I might not be playing again this season.
But it hasn't turned out to be as bad as it could have been - it's only moderate damage to the ankle.
"The injury is getting a lot better, and I'm starting to do a lot more work now. I'm doing a lot of work related to
balance, and I'm walking a lot more on it now. It's all healing quicker than I thought.
"
I'm keen to get back as quickly as I can, but I'm obviously having to listen to what the physios are telling me.
It's difficult because I just want to get back and play.
"It feels a lot better and that's making me more confident of coming back earlier. I want to be playing, but I have to be sensible about things as well. I don't want to come back too quickly and cause more damage."