Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has set his sights on returning to action against Tottenham on September 18 after five months on the sidelines with a groin injury.
Gerrard has been out of action since March following surgery on the recurring problem and has only featured in six games since Kenny Dalglish returned as manager.
But the 31-year-old is set to resume full training next week and will take part in a practice match before hopefully getting a taste of Premier League action when the Reds travel to White Hart Lane to face Spurs in two weeks time.
"I feel really good and I'm back kicking balls again - it's all positive," Gerrard told Liverpool's website.
"I should be back in full training with the team on Thursday or Friday of next week.
"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 Kenny's decision when I come back in."
Gerrard had initially been expected to be back for the start of the new campaign, but he suffered a setback in July when he was admitted to hospital with an infection related to the groin injury.
He admitted it has been hard to watch Liverpool's expensively-rebuilt team make an impressive start to the season while he has been forced to concentrate on the daily grind of rehabilitation.
"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," he said.
"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.
"At the moment it's all good and I'm itching to get back. In fact it's worse than itching, my stomach is turning.
"Since coming out of hospital my rehab has gone really well. I'm really happy and positive again. My groin is as strong as it's ever been.
"What I've done over the past four weeks tells me that's the case and I've got total confidence in it."
Source: AFP
