Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Darwin Nunez is in contention to face Manchester City this weekend, but Luis Diaz is not yet ready for a comeback.
Having been sidelined since October with a knee injury and subsequent setback - which required surgery - Diaz was back in parts of team training earlier this week.
The Colombian attacker was in high spirits as he rejoined his colleagues at Kirkby, as the Reds prepare for a daunting trip to the Etihad on Saturday lunchtime.
However, Klopp has confirmed that there is "no chance" of Diaz being part of the squad this weekend, and their trip to Leeds United on April 17 is the most likely comeback date.
"Yeah, we have to be patient but it's a massive boost anyway. It's just nice to have the boy around because he is a super energiser, super-positive impact with just being around," Klopp told liverpoolfc.com.
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"It was a super, super-strange and difficult season for Luis, it was the Arsenal game, what a situation that was when he got injured early in the season. It was a really bad day, by the way.
"So, we will see. In training everything looks fine but of course he's not in the squad for the weekend, there's no chance. Next week will be an important week for him; this week he was doing parts of training, next week I think most of the things he can do. Then we will see. Maybe [ready for] Arsenal but more likely Leeds after that."
However, there was better news regarding Nunez, who was forced to withdraw from international duty with Uruguay due to a foot injury sustained against Real Madrid.
Offering a further team news update in his press conference, Klopp affirmed that Nunez's affliction was no longer bothering him, and he should be in line to spearhead the attack at the Etihad.
"Darwin couldn't train for two or three days this week still because of the cut he got against Real Madrid on his foot, but was yesterday then back in full training so he is definitely in contention," Klopp added.
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Elsewhere, Stefan Bajcetic and Calvin Ramsay are continuing their long-term recoveries from groin and knee surgery respectively, while Thiago Alcantara (hip) should be back in team training next week.
Joe Gomez has also recovered from a muscular strain, but the injury-plagued Naby Keita is at risk of missing the rest of the season after returning from Guinea with a fresh muscular concern.
"We have [other injury concerns]. Naby is out, he came back with a muscle injury from the national team. We will see how long it takes but obviously the season is not too long anymore. There is a chance that Naby comes back but we have to wait a little bit.
"Thiago is in a good way but was not part of team training yet. I think if things go well he will probably be part of next week's team training, parts – [that] means we will see when he is back.
"Joe is fully back. Rhys Williams has a little bit of something. I think pretty much the rest is available; all back. We had little bit stomach bugs here and there but [that] stopped two days ago so should be alright."
Liverpool make the journey to the Etihad sat sixth in the Premier League table, seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with two games in hand.
Ben Knapton
