Steven Gerrard: 'I will be fitter than ever'

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has claimed that he will return from injury "fitter, stronger and hungrier than ever".

The Reds captain has been out of action since March with a groin problem which required surgery.

However, after an intense period of rehabilitation, the 31-year-old believes that he could be fit for Liverpool's trip to Tottenham Hotspur in a couple of weeks' time.

"I won't be involved against Stoke next Saturday but my plan is to hopefully be involved in the game against Tottenham. It will be [manager Kenny Dalglish's] decision when I come back in," he told the club's official website.

"It's been a tough five months for me since I had the surgery. It's been up and down emotionally and I've missed playing so much.

"I've had a good rest, I'm fired up and I'm raring to go again. I know I'm going to come back fitter, stronger and hungrier than ever."

Gerrard has featured in just six matches since Dalglish returned to the club as boss in January.